Pakistan has banned the Bollywood film Tera Bin Laden which spoofs Osama Bin laden and releases tomorrow. Pakistan's censor board banned the movie over fears it would incense Pakistanis, many of who revere the terrorist leader.

Thousands of Pakistani children are named "Osama". With militant Islam a major force in the country, the government appears to have tried to mollify public opinion, the ban underlines the widespread support in Pakistan for Al Qaeda and Osama BIn laden, a reason the US just named Pakistan as the "epicentre" of Islamic terrorism.

Pakistani model and singer Ali Zafar who stars in the movie has appealed for a review of the ban. He says the movie is a comedy and is not meant to be controversial. However, Pakistan's censor board vice-chairman Masood Elahi says there was no justification for the film’s release under the present circumstances.