Homecoming: Political parties welcome Ali Haider’s rescue

Leaders congratulate Gillani family over son’s safe recovery

ISLAMABAD: Political parties have welcomed the rescue of former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gillani’s son Ali Haider Gillani after three years in custody of militant organisations.

The youngest son of the former premier was kidnapped on May 9, 2013, while canvassing for his father three days before the general elections.

On Tuesday, the Foreign Office confirmed Ali Haider’s recovery after a joint operation carried out by the Afghan and US security forces in Afghanistan.



Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif congratulated the Gillani family. “I am pleased at the news of the safe recovery of your son. I pray to Allah Almighty he may return home soon,” Nawaz said in a statement issued by the PM House. “I pay tribute to you and your whole family for spending three years with courage and patience.”

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, which the Gillanis have been associated for decades, tweeted his congratulations soon after the news was announced.

PPP Co-chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari also welcomed the rescue. “The recovery of Ali after three years is welcome news not only for the Gillani family but also for the whole nation,” he said in a statement.



Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan also congratulated the Gillani’s family over Ali’s rescue.

“Congratulations to the Gillani family for the safe recovery of their son. No parent should have to go through this ordeal,” Imran wrote on the microblogging website Twitter.

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq termed the recovery of Ali good news for the Gillani family. “I congratulate Yousaf Raza Gillani and his entire family on the recovery,” Haq said while talking to The Express Tribune.

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