The Pakistani minister who said that the knighthood given to British author Salman Rushdie could justify suicide attacks has said he may visit the UK.
Religious Affairs Minister Ijaz-ul Haq said his visit may happen next month.
He said that extremists could justify suicide attacks because the knighthood insulted the Prophet Muhammad.
An official in the British embassy in Islamabad said that the minister was a regular visitor to Britain, and no steps would be taken to prevent him.
"I am not aware of any specific invitation being given to him, and I do not know whether he holds an up-to-date visa," the official said.
Mr Haq told the AFP news agency that he may travel to the UK as part of a delegation invited to discuss the most effective ways of engaging khateebs and imams (sermon deliverers and prayer leaders) in "constructive dialogue".
"The visit would also help clear many things and misunderstandings about my remarks about the knighting of Salman Rushdie by Britain," the minister said
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