Sindh CM returns knighthood granted to his elders by Britain

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Islamabad, June 22 (UNI) Chief Minister of Pakistan's Sindh province, Arbab Ghulam Rahim has returned knighthoods granted to his elders by British colonial rulers in a protest against London's decision to grant knighthood to author Salman Rushdie.

He made the announcement while addressing a press conference in Karachi last evening.

Dr Rahim said that he would not return lands as the colonial rulers did not give the same to his elders, The Nation quoted him as saying.

The British govt had granted knighthood to Arbab Mir Mohammed, CM's grandfather on 12 May 1937 and Arbab Togachi, his uncle on January 1, 1945.

The CM who perhaps for the first time spoke from written text said that he had set precedent, which should be followed by former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto whose grandfather was also granted knighthood and other Muslims as this was 'civilized way of protest.' He regretted that certain European countries were involved in hurting sentiments of Muslims.

He urged all the Muslims to return knighthoods of their elders so the British government could understand their sentiments.

He admitted that British colonial rulers had introduced some good things like good governance, judicial system, rule of law, irrigation, railway and communication systems, which had benefited people in the sub-continent.

He recalled that several Muslims and Hindus had returned knighthoods during movement against the colonial rulers.

The Chief Minister said he would return knighthoods to British Council here. He said right of freedom of expression was subjected to certain limits.

UNI

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