After the UK, the United States also banned Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, Federal Minister for Railways, from entering the US for announcing $100,000 bounty on the head of a controversial American film-maker.
US Embassy spokesperson Rian Harris confirmed to Business Recorder on Friday and stated that "The statements made by Bilour were inflammatory and unacceptable and have called into question his continuing eligibility to enter the United States. We can confirm that his visa was revoked, however, US law prevents us from disclosing further details." "Privacy regulations in US immigration law prohibit us from discussing the details of specific visa cases," the spokesperson added.
Sources close to Bilour said that the US Embassy in Pakistan has cancelled the visas stamped on the passports of the minister and his spouse, besides banning his entry into the US. The bounty announced by Bilour on head of the producer of an anti-Islam movie infuriated the US and the UK.
The sources further said that Bilour still stick by his offer of head money on the anti-Islam filmmaker. They said that the Minister was informed through a telephone call from the visa section of the Embassy regarding the US government decision and that the visas stamped on his and his wife passports could not be used. The Federal Minister was, however, not available for comments despite repeated attempts by phone. The US Department of State had criticised the Pakistani Federal Minister for his announcement of the head money on the American film-maker.
Bilour has already been banned by the British government from entering the UK following his announcement of the bounty. The government of Pakistan as well as Bilour's Awami National Party (ANP) has distanced themselves from his announcement of the bounty, terming it as his personal/ individual act. The bounty announced by Bilour was, however, welcomed by Pakistani Taliban and they removed his name from their hit-list.
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