Pak minister calls bounty on anti-Islam film maker 'only way' to stop insults to Prophet

Islamabad, Sept. 26 (ANI): Pakistan's Railway Mnister, Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, who had offered 100,000 dollars as bounty to anyone killing the maker of the U.S. produced anti-Islam film, has stood by the decision, saying it was the "only way" to stop insulting Prophet Mohammed.

Bilour is facing international condemnation for announcing the bounty and for urging the Taliban and Al-Qaeda to carry out what he called a "noble deed", reports The Express Tribune.

The Pakistan Government and Bilour's Awami National Party have distanced themselves from the reward for the person behind the crudely-made Innocence of Muslims which has sparked violent protests across the Muslim world.

Bilour insisted that public opinion was behind him in Pakistan in spite of the dozens of protests against the film, including nation-wide rallies on Friday that ended in bloodshed and looting, with 21 people killed.

"I expressed my personal view and faith. I stand by my declaration. My faith is non-violent, but I cannot forgive and tolerate (this insult)," Bilour said.

A businessman from Lahore had offered to put up a further 400,000 dollars towards the reward, saying freedom of speech should not be used as an excuse to insult Islam, the paper said.

The film's producer, Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, is reported to be a 55-year-old Egyptian Copt Christian and a convicted fraudster, who is based in Los Angeles and is currently out on parole.

According to media reports in the United States, Nakoula used the pseudonym Sam Bacile to write and produce the film. Police questioned him before he went into hiding with his family. (ANI)