US slams Pak minister for putting up USD 100,000 bounty

The US today slammed a Pakistani minister for offering a hefty USD 100,000 bounty for killing the maker of an anti-Islam film, as Islamabad disassociated itself from the offer.

Calling Pakistan Railway Minister Ghulam Ahmad Bilour's offer as "inflammatory and inappropriate", a State Department statement said, "There could be no justification for violence and it is important for responsible leaders to stand up and speak out against violence."

Bilour on Saturday put up a bounty of USD 100,000 for killing the maker of the film 'Innocence of Muslims' and went to the extent of inviting Taliban and al-Qaeda to take part in what he called "noble deed".

The State Department said, "The (US) President and Secretary of State have both said the video at the core of this is offensive, disgusting, and reprehensible - but that is no justification for violence, and it is important for responsible leaders to stand up and speak out against violence."

But, the Pakistan government made it clear that the minister's offer did not represent official policy but did not say whether any action would be taken against him.

Foreign Office spokesman Moazzam Khan said Railway Minister's announcement of a bounty for the maker of the offensive anti-Islam film "was representative of Bilour's personal views and had nothing to do with the official policy of the government of Pakistan".

Bilour's statement did not represent official policy, Khan said in a brief statement.