Former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s son, Ali Haider Gilani, was recovered on Tuesday in a successful operation in Afghanistan.
Afghan National Security Adviser, Mohammad Hanif Atmar, in a telephone call to Prime Minister’s senior aide Sartaj Aziz confirmed Gilani was recovered in a joint operation carried out by Afghan and US security forces in Ghazni, Afghanistan.
Addressing a rally in Bagh, Kashmir the former premier said, “I received news of my son’s recovery when I landed in Kashmir.”
“However, instead of going back home to receive my son, I felt it was my duty to come here first and address the rally,” Yousuf Raza Gilani said.
Hanif Atmar further said Ali Haider Gilani’s transfer to Pakistan is being arranged. PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also confirmed the former premier’s son’s recovery. “PM Yousuf Raza Gilani received a call from ambassador of Afghanistan. His son Haider Gilani has been recovered in a successful operation,” the PPP chairman said on Twitter.
“I have come to know the news about the release of my brother through media and I hope these reports are true,” Abdul Qadir Gilani said while speaking to Express News. He added he is waiting for ISPR to confirm the news.
Further, Afghan ambassador Dr Okmar Zakhilwal said, “He [Gilani] is well and will be repatriated to his family soon.”
Delving into details regarding his telephonic conversation with the former premier, the envoy said, “He was ecstatically delighted as expected and grateful of President Ashraf Ghani’s personal attention to his son’s safe release.” The former premier also thanked the Afghan Security Forces for bringing a happy ending to a dreadful family saga for them, Zakhilwal said.
In May 2013, armed assailants kidnapped the son of the former prime minister, while also killing two Pakistan Peoples Party workers in the attack.
The incident took place at a PPP corner meeting in Farrukhabad, near Matital Road in Multan, where the former premier’s son, Ali Haider Gilani, was scheduled to address. At the time of abduction, Central Police Officer (CPO), Multan, had said eight armed men riding a black Honda City car and two 125 cc motorcycles, opened fire at a corner meeting in Farrukh Town, an area falling in Ali Haider’s PP-200 constituency.
Witnesses said a bullet also hit Ali Haider and that he was bleeding when the kidnappers dragged him into the car.
The attack killed Ali Haider’s secretary, Muhammad Muhiuddin, and his private guard, Amin Ahmed.
Earlier, a top government official had said Gilani was in custody of a militant group not part of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The official had also stated that the group had demanded Rs2 billion in ransom and warned that they would kill him if their demand was not met within a month.Hundreds of people including workers of PPP and
relatives thronged to Gilani house on Tuesday noon in scorching heat to
celebrate the release of Syed Ali Haider Gilani after three years. Youths were
dancing on drum beat and shouting slogans in favour of Gilanis and distributed
sweetmeat. When contacted Syed Moosa Gilani said ,” My father has confirmed the
release of Ali Haider Gilani after talking to Afghan authorities and Pakistan
embassy in Afghanistan. He said , My mother fell into “Sajdah” as soon as she
listened this good news after three years. He said that entire family was very
happy. None can imagine our feelings on this news which had revived our family.
Syed Ali Haider Gilani was contesting election from PP-200 in 2013’s general
elections. He was kidnapped on May 9th,2013 when he came out after
addressing a corner meeting.Special prayer was offered at the mausoleum of
Hazrat Moosa Pak Shaheed. Talking to mediamen at his Multan residence Syed Abdul
Qadar Gilani said ,” we have received a phone call from Chief of Army staff
Gen; Raheel Sharif who congratulated us on the safe evacuation of my brother
Ali Haider.He said that Pakistan Army had launched the “Zarb-i-Azab” operation
very successfully and release of my brother is an outcome of this operation.He
also thanked the US and Afghan forces who have
found my kidnapped brother alive in an
operation in Afghanistan. He told that he could not contact to my father or
anyother until now .However, Congratulation from COAS has confirmed the release
of my brother. I am going to Islamabad to receive my brother.He also thanked
the well wishers and party workers who patiently face the situation.
