PESHAWAR: In a reaction over the bounty placed on the head of the producer of the movie ‘Innocence of Muslims’, the US embassy in Islamabad has cancelled the visas of Federal Minister for Railways Ghulam Ahmad Bilour and his wife, and banned him from visiting the United States in the future.
Earlier in September, Bilour had announced a $100,000 bounty and invited members of the Taliban and al Qaeda to take part in the ‘noble deed’, adding that given the chance he would kill the filmmaker with his own hands.
“I have received a call from the embassy today, informing me about the ban and cancellation of visas,” Bilour told the Express Tribune while defending his bounty statement and emphasizing the need of an international law which would make such profane acts a punishable crime across the world.
“I am not worried whether the US or UK restrict my entry into their countries; I would only be worried if I was banned on visiting Makkah and Medina but thanks God this didn't happen” he said.
The Spokesperson of the US Embassy in Islamabad refused to comment on the issue.
“It’s against privacy laws of the United States to disclose such details,” said the spokesperson.
The railways minister said in a press conference last week, “When leaders of religious political parties who do politics in the name of Islam and those who kill people in the name of our religion fail to come up with a firm response against the blasphemous movie; the love for Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in my heart moves me to place the bounty on the blasphemer’s head.”
The profane film sparked violent protests across the Muslim world including Pakistan, where several people died during protests in addition to vandalism of public and private property.
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Initialy the western countries prefered to give shelter to such rabid Islamist now their streategic assetes have became a greate problem . In the same manner Pakistan is facing the Terrorists to whom she extended support for occupying the Kashmir .
What you sow so you reap,
Just as is the case for all the rabid Islamists in Pakistan, this many Bilour's children/grand children and family members are all living in western countries. Even Hafeez Saeed, the notorious Islamic terrorist, has his family living in the US. Two of his brothers have been deported from Boston.
No civilised human should agree with those who put up bounties in 21st century on fugitives. But I expect now a response from the Pakistan Govt. placing a ban on an official of the Americans. This is the norm between two soverein contries who have diplomatic relations.
Rex Minor
Good, how about banning the British citizen, a Lord to boot. Certain Lord Nazir Ahmed had announced a bounty for President Obama's head ? Why not a ban on this man's entry in the USA as well?
As I said before: he should be banned from Pakistan for destroying the railways.
What an absolute disgrace this man is .............. unbelievable.
There are certain paid people mostly belong to the NGO's who get money from America and they never miss any opportunity to write to support anti Islam element point of view.
As they would say in Swahili "Alas Dooh-credam". My payar for this guy.
If memory serves me right about related newspaper reports, there was a good "C.Y.A." reason for the Railway Minsiter to announce that bounty. Shortly after he made that announcement, some Taliban outfit i ssaid to have removed him from their "to-do" list.
whats wrong his wife did. Mr. bilour when will you pay attention to your ministry, you cannot hide your incompetance by using name of religion.
Now he will face the same treatment all arround rhe world .
This man is a disgrace but on this particular issue he is very right.
@Mehmood: To paraphrase the JFK "Ask not what Holy Prophet (pbuh) and caliphs Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA) and Hazrat Umar (RA) did for you - ask what you can do for them. These great leaders of Islam who gave you a religion for which you are rightfully proud of.
Here is what all Muslim can help the Holy Prophet (pbuh) and caliphs Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA) and Hazrat Umar (RA):
Write a letter to KSA embassy in Islamabad and protest against any damage to the grave of Holy Prophet (pbuh) and caliphs Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA) and Hazrat Umar (RA) Write a letter to King of KSA in Riyadh and protest against any damage to the grave of Holy Prophet (pbuh) and caliphs Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA) and Hazrat Umar (RA). Remind the King of KSA that Ottoman Empire preserved these historic sites for hundreds of year and as a custodian of Islam, it is there turn to extend the same respect grave of Holy Prophet (pbuh) and caliphs Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA) and Hazrat Umar (RA). Write a letter to Grand Mufti KSA and protest against any damage to the grave of Holy Prophet (pbuh) and caliphs Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA) and Hazrat Umar (RA) Write a letter to UN secretary General and ask them to declare the graves of Holy Prophet (pbuh) and caliphs Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA) and Hazrat Umar (RA) UNESCO heritage site and urge for the King of KSA to intervene. http://tribune.com.pk/story/457875/masjid-an-nabawi-expansion-project-risks-razing-holy-sites/Thank you America, You provided opportunity to secular ANP to outflank Islamist parties in cashing the sentimental Islamist vote. Bilour is insignificant in comparison to his party: His islamism can not affect ANP's secularism. So in the end Pluralists and Progressives will be the winner. Play your next card with the same caution and sagacity. Without your help Paki progressives con not win over the obstructionists.
“I am not worried whether the US or UK restrict my entry into their countries; I would only be worried if I was banned on visiting Makkah and Medina but thanks God this didn’t happen” he said.
hats off
Who will handle mr bilour's property in US and UK now?
Those who love the Prophet and are true followers of his teachings, would not announce bounties, spread hatred or kill the innocents as he was merciful, kind-hearted and full of compassion towards those who even wanted to harm him.
@BILOUR - The grapes are, indeed, sour. If you weren't worried about your successful application and did NOT care much then why would you apply in the first place? Truth is you badly want to go to the US. Truth is you only put that bounty to get a populist vote. Truth is you regret it now. Truth is you cry in to your pillow. P.S. How do you afford that extra $100,000 - just curious?
Excellent power GB. You rock first time in my political life. Jinnhayn dunya pasand he aur ghaddaar e Islam hain, vo tumhaara mazaaq uRaayn gay. In ka bas chalay to Prophet SAV ka b mazaaq uRaayn!
This person destroyed Pakistan Railways. All airlines should ban his flying.Let him travel by Railway
So Bilour had the US visa which he did not use to do the deed himself which he is asking others to do? What a hypocrite.
ISNT IT A DISGRACE FOR PAKISTAN? WILL THE P.M. CALL FOR HIS RESIGNATION!
Kudos to the USA - if he wasn't a Minister they probably would had let him enter the country where he would be placed under arrest - conspiracy to commit murder is a crime in the civilized World.
Bilour in pic: So what ?
I would like to see this waste-of-a-space banned from Pakistan as well. One of the most useless parliamentarians around for sure.
Bilour is a drama queen
Though I do not agree with many of the policies of US. But the way they protect their / citizens and pride, it is commendable. And they have made themselves worthy of this. Should Pakistan ban any of the politicians from any part of the world. No one would even pay a heed.
Now the railway minister will be allowed to go even Mekka and Madina through rail . He will not get visa to enter in any holy place in the world .
“I am not worried whether the US or UK restrict my entry into their countries; I would only be worried if I was banned on visiting Makkah and Medina but thanks God this didn’t happen” He's putting on a fake tough guy show. At the very least he owned multiple properties in London and had spent fairly long amounts of time using them with his brothers. That would bother most people.
Filmmaker, Bilour, UK and US (Governments) are on same page. No difference!!!!! Just exploing the public.
Mr.Bilour, don't worry. You can launch a special train called Polar Express and go to US and beyond, of course you are already successful in damaging the Pakistan railways.
Dramaybaaz
May be some one can tell him Corruption is prohibited in ISLAM and X-rated movies too which he run in his cinema, but alas who know which interpretation of ISLAM he is following? May be Fiqah e Bilouria.
This man seems like he's on verge of a mental breakdown. You really want to do something for Islam? Place a bounty on the head of those who kill schoolgirls and civilians in the name of Islam. Such responses only add more fuel to the fire that the idiot who made this movie wanted to flame. And by the way, the Saudi government can cancel your visa on a minute's notice from American authorities, so good luck with that.