PESHAWAR: Federal Railways Minister Ghulam Ahmed Bilour has been barred by the British government from travelling to the UK in retaliation for the bounty he offered for the murder of a US filmmaker.

Talking to Dawn on Thursday, Mr Bilour shrugged off the ban and said he stood by his words more firmly now.

He said a British government envoy had conveyed to him the decision of his government.

Mr Bilour offered $100,000 bounty for anyone who kills the maker of an anti-Islam film, ‘Innocence of Muslims’.

The railways minister, who visited Britain last year, said he was unmoved by the decision because it would save his dollars.

“I have already spoken my mind to the UK diplomat who delivered a letter to me that I don’t care and anyone daring blasphemy will face the Prophet’s (PBUH) lovers,” he said.