PVV leader and anti-Islam campaigner Geert Wilders has called off his controversial cartoon contest, saying safety is paramount.

In a statement on Twitter, Wilders states he had been told by the Dutch counter terrorism unit NCTB that a high-level cleric in Pakistan had put a price on his head and referred to the arrest of a Pakistan national in The Hague who was threatening to kill him.

‘But it is about more than just me,’ Wilders said. ‘Others are also at risk because of the threats made by extreme Muslims who see not just me but all of the Netherlands as a target.’

‘I do not want Muslims to use the cartoon competition as an excuse for Islamic violence. Innocent people should never be the victims of Islamic terror.’

On Thursday it emerged that Dutch nationals travelling to Pakistan are being warned to avoid demonstrations against the cartoon competition and to ‘keep a low profile’.

The foreign ministry travel advice was revised on Wednesday following demonstrations by Muslims protesting about the contest in several cities, including Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.

At the same time, the Dutch port and dredging sector cancelled a trade mission to Pakistan, set for early November, in the same week that the winners of Wilders’ competition are due to be announced.

Prime minister Mark Rutte earlier described the contest as provocative.