Pakistan disowns bounty on anti-Islam film maker

ISLAMABAD - Pakistani government on Sunday disowned a bounty announced by a cabinet minister on the head of the producer of anti-Islam movie.

Shafqat Jail, spokesman for the Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, said that the government has nothing to do with the offer of $100,000 reward by Minister for Railways Ghulam Ahmad Bilour for any person who kills maker of the movie.

The blasphemous film "Innocence of Muslims" made in the United States has triggered violent protest in Pakistan, leaving 20 people dead and nearly 200 injured in clashes with police on Friday.

Bilour announced in Peshawar on Saturday that he would award $100,000 to the person who kills the maker of the blasphemous film.

Bilour is a leader of the ethnic Pashto group Awami National Party (ANP), which is partner of the ruling coalition. The minister statement caused embarrassment for the government which itself condemned the violent protests against the movie.

The Prime Minister condemned the minister's bounty, saying the government has distanced itself from the statement and that he will take up the issue with the central president of the ANP, the spokesman said.

The ANP leaders have also said that Bilour's announcement is his personal opinion and the party does not support his stance.