Sindh CM returns knighthoods granted to his elders by Britain

Islamabad, June 22(UNI) Chief Minister of Pakistan's Sindh province, Arbab Ghulam Rahim has returned knighthoods granted to his ancestors by the British in a protest against London's decision to grant knighthood to Salman Rushde, author of ''The Satanic Verses''.

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

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

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

Mr Rahim said he had set precedent, which should be followed by Benazir Bhutto whose grandfather was also granted a knighthood and other Muslims as this was a ''civilized way of protest.'' He regretted that certain European countries were involved in hurting sentiments of Muslims.

He urged all the Muslims to return titles awarded to their ancestors by the Britain so that the UK 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 CM said he would return knighthoods to British Council here.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people mostly activists of religious and political parties including Mutahida Majlis-e-Amal(MMA) and Tehri-e-Insaf of crickter-turned politician Imran Khan took to streets all over Pakistan after Friday congregations and condemned the British government for awarding knighthood to Indian born Rushdie.

Top opposition leaders including MMA chief Qazi Hussain Ahmad and General Secretary Maulana Fazl-Ur-Rehman addressed rallies in Lahore and Islamabad and criticised the British government for showing insensitivity to the feelings of Muslims.

Protestors in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Islamabad, Quetta and other cities demanded British government to hand over Rushdie to Pakistan so that he was awarded exemplary punishment.

In most of the cities, protestors burnt effigies of Rushdie and said he should be killed for desecreting the Prophet Mohammad.

The National Assembly also adopted another resolution today, asking London to withdraw the award and apologise to Muslims.

UNI