TTP on Wednesday had said they have removed Bilour from their hit list after he offered $100,000 for the death of a filmmaker who produced an anti-Islam movie.
Speaking to the media in Peshawar, Bilour said, “So what if the Taliban have removed my name from their hit list? I can also die of a heart attack.”
When asked if the Awami National Party will ask him to retract the bounty offer, the minister said he expected that the party “will not do so”, adding that he will attend party meetings whenever he is summoned.
“I gave the statement because of the love of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) I have in my heart – I don’t mind people agreeing or disagreeing with me,” said Bilour while responding to a question regarding his brother, Bashir Ahmed Bilour’s disagreement with his statement.
Railways minister Ghulam Ahmed Bilour sparked international condemnation when he offered the blood money and urged the Taliban and al Qaeda to carry out what he called the “noble deed”.
The Pakistan government and Bilour’s own party have distanced themselves from the reward for the killing of the person behind the crudely-made “Innocence of Muslims”, which has sparked violent protests across the Islamic world.
COMMENTS (29)
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What should a person deserve who has hurt atleast a Billion Hearts?
@khan: I dont expect Khan to understand the difference between hate speech and free speech. I also dont expect Khan to understand that no religion is above ridicule in 21st century unless you go back to 7th century and kill people freely who does not respect your religion, in 21st century west will have to regress to your level before this can happen
@Sharjeel Jawaid: yes he is an important person as he has shown some guts, even though we may not agree with him. My question from u so why cant u digest if he is in the limelight? He is an important political figure representing peshawar. Have u ever asked this question about the importance of shabaz sharif, imran khan and altaf hussainwhose worthless statements r given to us as frontline news on daily basis?
@Haris Chaudhry: i am not a supporter of anp but i think he did the right thing...freedom of expression......just like the us place bounties on muslim heads....so s..................................up ...mr..................
It is painful to watch how slowly the country sinks into abyss and what becomes normal and acceptable - one thing at a time. It is ok for sitting ministers in the government to issues murder bounties, it is ok for lawyers to garland murderers, it is ok for innocent minorities to be thrown out of their houses. The love for the prophet (pbuh) has been made into a spectacle (like the beard), so anybody not supporting this bounty business or not shutting down their business during a protest is automatically assumed to have less love for the prophet (pbuh) and a lesser Muslim.
@Babbarsherkhan, @Haris Chaudhry, 100 % agree with you.
@Imran Con: "That comparison made no sense"
Dear Imram,
Why?
@ Haris Chaudhry You hammered the nail to its full depth. But you know "Marde Nadan per Kalam Narmo Nazak Bay Asr" Might be after burring the Pakistan Railway the man has lot of money to distribute. He speaks of love for Prophet (pbuh) but see his deeds for the responsibility he was entrusted as minister. Love of Islam and Prophet (pbuh) demands good deeds as directed both by religion and Prophet (pbuh) Where he stands in this aspect every Pakistani knows it so leave him as a gone case.
@Cautious:
Wrong.
@Sexton Blake: That comparison made no sense.
Salute to this brave man
Can he spend this extra money on Pak Railways which has suffered from want of furnace oil and corruption free staff. The minister has done so much harm as the minister of railways and now his gimicks as the election is around the corner, will cause more harm to the country.
@Hassan: Even though bounties aren't considered free speech... Just to step into your fantasy land for the sake of argument... That means you and him should be ok with the movie not being banned as well and the maker of it walking away free of related charges, or are you the oh so rare Pakistani hypocrites?
@Cautious: "Send Ambassadors Packing"
That Pakistan should be so lucky. Pakistan could get even luckier if the US/NATO withdrew their troops.
Freedom of expression!!! Mr. Blour should sponsor a movie based on holocaust.
@Hassan who writes "Its a free country. and Free Speech for him as long as its free speech for all the americans."
No free speech for Salman Taseer?
Is ANP is DPC's B team now?
some people never learn,Bilour seems to be one of them.
All those voters who elect ANP against right wing parties like JI & JUI or so called moderates like PML(N), vote them because they are secular .. Mr Ghulam Bilour receives around 80,000 votes just because he represent a secular party and he should be mindful of this fact.
from madrasa to media and then to madrasa.
The USA and the EU should send your Ambassadors packing until your govt removes this individual from office.
“So what if the Taliban have removed my name from their hit list? I can also die from a heart attack.”
Such profound logic!!! Plato and Aristotle would have died of heart attack, hearing such reason. Ahhh! Too bad, Plato should have been born in 21st century Pakistan.
So What if Pakistan has capitulated to Taliban ?
So what when Taliban say they dont accept the constitution of Pakistan, judiciary of Pakistan and the Democracy.
So what when Taliban go around killing fellow muslims and creating havoc in the name of Islam.
So what when Taliban want to enforce their medieval system of justice and governane to the hapless masses of this nation.
So what if we all roll on our back and let Taliban plunder whatever is left of this nation !
Shame on you.. You are meant to be in the top echelon of this governance system Mr Bilour and when a leader from a secular party from a province that has suffered the most only cares of saving his own skin.. then the nation has the right to ask you to immediately resign and make way for those that still have the guts in standing up to these murderous thugs.
RESIGN.
As a Government minister he needs to be careful what he says. However as an individual he has the right to say what he wants to... "Freedom of expression"?