"We deplore the call for a bounty," Michael Mann, spokesman for EU foreign affairs head Catherine Ashton, told a press briefing.
"We are particularly concerned that this call should come from a member of the government even if the prime minister has dissociated himself from the remarks,” Mann added.
A spokesman for Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Sunday rejected the bounty promised by Bilour as a "prize" for killing the filmmaker.
The producer of the film, Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, is reported to be a 55-year-old Egyptian Copt and convicted fraudster, based in Los Angeles and currently out on parole.
US reports say Nakoula wrote and produced the film, using the pseudonym Sam Bacile before being identified. Police questioned him before he went into hiding with his family.
The film has sparked outrage across the Muslim world, with protests reported in more than 20 countries and over 50 people killed in demonstrations or attacks.
US slams Bilour's bounty
The United States also condemned the offer made by the railways minister.
The State Department weighed in Sunday, with an official recalling that US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton “have both said the video at the core of this is offensive, disgusting, and reprehensible.”
The official added: “But that is no justification for violence and it is important for responsible leaders to stand up and speak out against violence.”
“Therefore we find Bilour’s announcement is inflammatory and inappropriate,” the official said in a statement.
COMMENTS (42)
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Pak railway minister has acted as per Islam being practiced in Pakistan while world opinion is in favour of to root out such Islam for ever . The war against terrorism will remain inconclusive without meeting the said goal .
@Suhaib Sumrani: Voice of every true muslim should be doing him/herself, instead of asking others. He is just playing with words, his career as a minister turned out to be total disaster. After Rehman Malik, he is most criticized minister. Now he wants to play pious guy role.
Fool Pakistani nation once again stand behind those who use Islam for their gains...We as a nation are truly at lowest point....
I just want to say that what bilore has announced an another political leader has also announced of 1lakh bounty on a film maker.....addressing to nation Maulana hafiz fazal barech senior member of (J.U.I) (N) said that If any one will kill a film maker i would give him 1lakh dollor as prize..................he said if even i obligated to beg i will beg it for the killer....i will go to everyone homes n will beg for him said by Maulana hafiz Fazal barech...........I proud both of them what did they say they are brave leaders...........
EU, now is the time to announce some more trade sops for Pakistan, some more relaxation in duties for Pakistani goods and some more aid.
So was EU sleeping when US announced a preposterous bounty on Hafiz Saeed, a person who was roaming freely in the country and willing to appear before the court of law. Double standards EU.
OK, 50% advance and rest after the Job or you will also join nakoula.
Look who is setting up bounty. A man without honour and dignity. Lets have a decent face before we set up such a bounty. West couldn't expect a better choice, BILOUR. Remember what he said when 15 school children died on the railway crossing, Its driver's fault. And do not forget his contribution towards railway distruction.
The comments just point to the wide differences that exist between the West and PAK. PAKs believe it to be right and just to place a bounty on someone whose only crime is to say something that is disagreeable. They try to equate this to a bounty on someone who has actually caused the death of others. All of this only highlights the differences between cultures and values between PAK and the West. It would seem the very best place for PAKs to be would be would be to remain in the land of the pure. The very best action for the West would be to insure that they did.
Even if English reading people cannot see the difference between speech that directly incites people towards violence against some one and free speech then I have to say that time is up for Pakistan. I have not even mentioned that a gov brings in Rimsha and pti leader compares it with holocaust . Simply pathetic !
The EU should have strongly condemned Bilour's action. It is EU weakness not to dare to do so openly. It is strictly forbidden in the EU to put a bounty on someone's head, an award for and invitation to murder someone. The EU still has properly working courts. We would like to keep it that way despite pressure from Muslim minorities to have Sharia law introduced in our court systems.
Those who think that asking to murder someone and pay for it afterwards has anything to do with free speech is living in a different universe. Nothing new.
Mr. bilour plz handle railways first.
Mr. Bilaure. Well done "You stood all alone in the arena and not bowing to your masters as other did who are now criticizing you". At least you are not hypocrate in your religion.
I add another 1,000 USD in that...If the US can announce head money on persons who act against their interests, why we cannot offer head money on a person who is acting against our interests...Why double standards!!!
Governments and/or its officials should not be announcing bounties for capture or killing of anyone who has not been declared guilty by a competent court.
Just Primitive. . . . .from both the sides!
$100,000 reward for Ferderal Minister Railways Mr. Ghulam Muhammad Bilour, If he makes Pakistan’s Railway functional. . . . (dollar is dollar, wether it is US or Zimbabwian) :)
a drone will solve the issue amicably.
When US announces head money on any Muslim It is justify-able but when a Pakistani minister announced head money on loathsome film maker it is condemn-able.. what a height of duplicity... Hilarious....
When US announces head money on any Muslim It is justify-able but when a Pakistani minister announced head money on loathsome film maker It is condemn-able.. what a height of duplicity... Hilarious....
To people who are calling it "Freedom of Speech" actually it's a violent threat in legal terms.
This is how it works, you can say and do whatever you like as long as you are not "directly involved with someone" For example you can write a poem, draw a cartoon, or make a movie about any subject, it's a form of expression, some people going to like it, some hate it, but it's not real, it has nothing to do with real world. Yes it can be critical, it can be even insulting, but violence is not the answer, taking law in your hands is not the answer. You are free to make a documentary in answer.
On the other hand the federal minister has made a threat to harm someone physically, especially when a person who is not within his legal jurisdiction and probably a citizen of another state which has diplomatic relation with your state.
Yes he can use his "freedom of Expression" but in real world and in legal terms he does not has "Freedom of Consequence" even the person who made that film hasn't got "Freedom of Consequence" We can say whatever we like but it always comes with a price, so for everyone and for your sake, people please, be mindful of what you speak, violent threats and stupid jokes are are not going to help anyone.
who is the usa to comment on such issues?
How many people have ACTUALLY seen the movie?
Shame on the US of A. They are quick to condemn a mere statement made by a pakistani minister but they have not yet removed the offensive video from you tube. They have not yet punished the man who made this inflamatory movie which has caused unrest in the whole world. Shame on the anti Islamic stance of the US of A.
This prize money from US aid?
Bravo Bilour Sahib.
Threatening someone is not a freedom of speech. Perhaps, 'Freedom of Speech' is a concept too hard for Muslims to understand who've lived centuries under dictatorships.
How can two wrongs make a right ?
@A2Z: No he cant say so?There r certain difference between "the two freedom of speech" exercise.while one is attacking a particular religion, one is against the humanity.And if a religion cannot protect humanity,kick that damn religion.
@A2Z: " ... This statement is personal act of Mr Bilour and he has every right to say anything under the slogan of Free Speech. .... Look at the height of hypocrisy and double standards ... "
Agree with you a 100%. But just like you all reacted to the movie, the US also reserves the right to "react" to Mr. Bilour's statement.
Come on US! He is just practicing his freedom of speech.
This statement is personal act of Mr Bilour and he has every right to say anything under the slogan of Free Speech. His personal statement is inflammatory and inappropriate BUT video which causes this reaction is not inflammatory and inappropriate but its free speech... Look at the height of hypocrisy and double standards
Mr bilour want to cash right wing vote bank for hundred thousands dollars bounty,and he is 100% sure that he will not have to pay at all.Pathetic!
Extreme limit of hypocrisy by US. They were unable to condemn WTF was done by Sam Bacile and Terry Johnes. Come on! Desi liberals of ET now support the US here
@Haris Chaudhry
But, did you not miss an even bigger double standard here?
What he said is exactly been the policy of Pakistan for several decades, whether in Kashmir or Afghanistan. To send people to kill people.
So, why if your government trying to cover up what is exactly the entire nation's wish, expressed through this minister.
Mr Bilour has put the Talibans in a big test. So far they had been killing Muslims in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
We expect world to believe that this act of inciting murder by a sitting federal minister is his own personal act and is not the reflection of Gov policy or the nation.. BUT.. we refuse to acknowledge when a lunatic American (who is not a federal minister of USA) acted in his own personal capacity when making the movie and not the act sanctioned by USA at any level.
I mean.. look at the height of double standards and hypocrisy..