Pakistani star says case 'a lie'

Meera has acted in a number of Bollywood films

A popular Pakistani actress accused of theft and intimidation has demanded that police drop the case against her.

Meera described the accusations as "lies and fraud". She has also demanded protection from Punjab province's chief saying her life is being threatened.

Last week businessman Atiqur Rahman, who claims to be her husband, alleged she threatened to have him killed.

Meera denies she was ever married to Mr Rahman but police say they have evidence that they were wed in 2007.

Mr Rahman also alleges that Meera has stolen some of his belongings. He told the media that he owns the house in which Meera is living.

He says that when he returned from a recent business trip he found that a number of valuable items in his house had been taken.

'Conspiracy'

On Monday, Meera told journalists in Lahore that an Indian film director had "masterminded a conspiracy" against her, but stopped short of disclosing the conspiracy or explaining the director's motives.

She has promised to release some audio recordings later in the day "which will explain everything".

Mr Rahman says has asked Meera to return to him the house he bought for her in Lahore.

Meera has denied that she ever married Mr Rahman, and says the house belongs to her.

Police say the house Meera lives in is in her name, although it could have originally been bought by Mr Rahman.

Meera has acted in Bollywood films. In 2005, she received death threats for a kissing scene in one of them.