Meet the woman who drives Pakistanis crazy -- although not like you'd think:

Mariyah Moten entered a beauty contest at a Chinese resort, representing Pakistan (and rather nicely, I'd say). She won an award for the attracting the most photographers at the resort in Beihai. She entered herself as a Pakistani, although she moved out of the country eight years ago to live in the US. For some reason, Pakistanis find her loyalty to them infuriating:

Stunning Mariyah Moten, 22, won the 'Best in Media' title - for being the most photographed and interviewed contestant - at the pageant in the Chinese resort of Beihai.

But furious Pakistani authorities say she did not have permission to represent the country, where many women only go out in public covered in a veil.

They are now threatening the model, who grew up in Pakistan but holds a US passport after she moved there eight years ago, with restrictions on entering her homeland.

"We have asked our missions in Washington and Beijing to investigate this because it is against our policy, culture and religion," senior Culture Ministry official Abdul Hafeez Chaudhry said. "She is an American passport holder. She is an American national of Pakistani origin, so how did she get entry as a Pakistani?"

A woman in a bikini is enough to create an international diplomatic kerfuffle for the Pakistanis. They're going to deny her access to her country of origin for posing in swimwear. That tell you all you need to know about women's rights and the level of reason in that country.

Don't worry, Mr. Chaudry. America will gladly take credit for Moten.

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Tracked on September 10, 2006 3:13 AM