Withdraw Rushdie honour: Pak

On Saturday, Britain had announced the knighthood for the author of The Satanic Verses in an honours list timed for the official celebration of the queen8217;s 81st birthday.

The resolution in the Pakistan Parliament8217;s lower house was proposed on Monday by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sher Afgan Khan Niazi who branded Rushdie a 8220;blasphemer8221;.

8220;The 8216;sir8217; title from Britain for the blasphemer Salman Rushdie has hurt sentiments of Muslims all over the

world. Every religion should be respected. I demand that the British government immediately withdraw the title as it

is creating religious hatred,8221; Niazi told the National

Assembly.

Lawmakers voted unanimously for the resolution .

Iran on Sunday also condemned the knighthood for Rushdie. Iran8217;s late spiritual leader, Ayatollah Khomeini, issued a 1989 fatwa ordering Muslims to kill the author because The Satanic Verses allegedly insulted Islam. The threat forced Rushdie to live in hiding for a decade.