Another welcome homecoming

Almost three years to day that he was kidnapped, Ali Haider Gilani has been recovered from his captors in Afghanistan

Almost three years to the day that he was kidnapped, Ali Haider Gilani, son of former prime minster Yousaf Raza Gilani, has been recovered from his captors in Afghanistan. This highly welcome news was confirmed by the Afghan National Security Adviser who further stated that Ali Haider Gilani was recovered in an operation jointly carried out by the Afghan and US forces. It has been announced that he is in good health and is expected to be repatriated to Pakistan soon. The news was conveyed by the Afghan ambassador to the Gilani family, who are ecstatic as is expected. The news is being celebrated by top PPP leadership as well as the party’s workers. The government, too, has been swift to welcome this development and Yousaf Raza Gilani has been congratulated both by the prime minister and the army chief.



It should be recalled that Ali Haider Gilani was abducted in his hometown of Multan by armed individuals during an incident which left him injured and his two companions dead just days before the 2013 elections. Witnesses at the scene stated that he had been hit by a bullet and was bleeding as he was dragged to the captors’ vehicle. At the time of his kidnapping, he was preparing to contest the election for a seat in the Punjab Assembly. Few details ever became available about his whereabouts or health in the subsequent years. A top government official had stated in the past that a ransom sum of considerable amount had been demanded for his release, however, there has been no mention of ransom payments being made to his captors who are said to be an “al Qaeda affiliated group”. Doubtless, more details will emerge regarding the exact nature of this rescue operation in the coming days as the scant information currently available leaves several questions unanswered. Meanwhile, Ali Haider Gilani’s supporters can rejoice in his release, which has come close at the heels of Shahbaz Taseer’s recovery from his captors. Kidnappings and abductions have been a part of the modus operandi of militant organisations, which use them both for gathering funds and as bargaining chips. It is hoped that these recent recoveries signify a turning of the tide in the fight against militancy.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11^th, 2016.

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