Pakistan plays down bounty offer

Pakistan said an offer by one of its ministers of US$100,000 for anyone who kills the maker of an anti-Islam film does not represent official policy.

A Pakistani foreign office statement today distanced the government from the reward announcement by Railways Minister Ghulam Ahmad Bilour made on Saturday.

Mr Bilour said he would pay the money from his own pocket.

The minister belongs to the secular Awami National Party, an ally in the government of President Asif Ali Zardari.

The ANP is also the ruling party in the north western province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The party is considered anti-Taliban and has lost several leaders in the fight against militancy.

The film, titled Innocence of Muslims, has enraged many Muslims around the world for its vulgar portrayal of the Prophet Mohammed.