Pakistan's Awami National Party disowns minister's bounty announcement on anti-Islam film maker - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Pakistan's Awami National Party (ANP) has distanced itself from a bounty placed by one of its ministers for the death of the anti-Islam filmmaker. The ANP, which is part of the ruling coalition, said it rejected the 100,000 dollar bounty offered by Railways Minister Ghulam Ahmed Bilour to anyone who killed the person behind the 'Innocence of Muslims' film, reports The Dawn. Bilour invited members of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda to take part in the "noble deed", and said given the chance he would personally kill the maker of the film. "The statement given by Mr Bilour has been rejected by the party because we believe in non-violence and our party is known for that," said ANP spokesman, Senator Zahid Khan. "This kind of thing is beyond our imagination because it will end the difference between ANP and extremists," he added. Earlier on Sunday, the federal government rejected the reward, which Bilour announced a day after nationwide Friday protests against the film descended into violence and looting which left 21 dead and more than 200 injured. The U.S. State Department also weighed in on Sunday, with an official calling Bilour's remarks "inflammatory and inappropriate".