Pakistan demands withdrawal of Rushdie knighthood

Pakistani politicians have today passed a government-backed resolution demanding Britain withdraw the knighthood awarded to author Salman Rushdie.

They condemned the honour as "an insult to the religious sentiments of Muslims".

In the eastern city of Multan, hard-line Muslim students burned effigies of the Queen and Rushdie. About 100 students carrying banners condemning the author also chanted: "Kill Him! Kill Him!"

On Saturday, Britain announced the knighthood for the author of 'The Satanic Verses' in the Queen's birthday honours list.

The resolution in the lower house of parliament today was proposed by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sher Afgan Khan Niazi who branded Mr Rushdie a "blasphemer".

"The 'Sir' title from Britain for blasphemer Salman Rushdie has hurt the sentiments of the Muslims across the world," Niazi told the National Assembly. "Every religion should be respected. I demand the British government immediately withdraw the title as it is creating religious hatred."

Politicians voted unanimously for the resolution although one opposition member, Khwaja Asif, said it exposed a contradiction in the government's policy as an ally of Britain in the international war on terrorism.

Iran yesterday also condemned the knighthood for Rushdie.

Iran's late spiritual leader, Ayatollah Khomeini, issued a 1989 fatwa, or religious edict, ordering Muslims to kill the author because, in his view, 'The Satanic Verses'. The threat forced Rushdie to live in hiding for a decade.

The British High Commission in Islamabad defended the decision to honour Rushdie - one of the most prominent novelists of his time whose 13 books have won numerous awards, including the Booker Prize for Midnight's Children in 1981.

"Sir Salman's honour is richly deserved and the reasons for it are self-explanatory," said spokesman Aidan Liddle.