Saudi sentences Pakistani TV anchor to eight years, 1000 lashes for criticising regime

India baiter and hatred spewing Pakistani TV anchor Zaid Hamid has reportedly been sentenced to eight years in prison and 1000 lashes by a Saudi court for criticising the country's government, unconfirmed reports have claimed.

Hamid was detained while on a private visit to the Kingdom with his wife. An official said that he made speeches against the Saudi government at a function two weeks ago and was arrested for lashing out against Arabs, reported Pakistan Destiny.

During a press briefing in Islamabad, Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah confirmed that Hamid was arrested two weeks ago and added that the embassy had been working with the local authorities to get consular access.

Khalilullah also said that the jailed political commentator's wife was allowed to meet him in jail on June 30 due to the efforts of the embassy.

Through his TV programmes, Hamid claimed that a nexus between India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), Israel's Mossad and the U.S.' Central Investigative Agency (CIA) was responsible for the destabilisation of Pakistan. He also alleged that the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai were part of a plan hatched by 'Hindu Zionists'.