Homecoming: Glad to be back, says Ali Haider Gilani

Thanks everyone for praying for his safe return.

LAHORE: Ali Haider Gilani, the rescued son of ex-prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, has thanked everyone who prayed for his safe recovery, saying it felt great to be back home and united with his family.

The younger Gilani made his first public appearance in Pakistan on Thursday a day after his return from Afghanistan, where he was rescued from Al Qaeda militants in a joint raid by US and Afghan security forces. He spent three years as a hostage with militants after being kidnapped from Multan on May 9, 2013.

“I thank all the Pakistanis who prayed for my recovery. It is because of the prayers that God showed His mercy and I reached home safely,” Haider told reporters in Lahore’s Defence. “I would also like to thank those who celebrated my homecoming, especially those who came [to Lahore] all the way from Multan just to meet me,” he added.

Responding to a question about keeping a beard and if the Taliban had any religious impact on him during the three years, Haider said: “I was near to God even before the Taliban [took me].”

When probed by a reporter about his time in the custody of militants, he refused to share any details, saying it was a long story that he would tell some other time. He added he also did not have plans to write a book at least for now.

Haider’s father added he had told him about taking notes during Taliban’s captivity to write a book but the manuscript was burnt by the militants.

The senior Gilani said all senior politicians had congratulated him over Haider’s return and he was thankful to them. He added his son was hale and hearty.

On a question if Haider’s release was result of some “deal”, Yousaf said he did not have any personal contacts with US officials and always met them in the official capacity.

He thanked the US and Afghan governments for carrying out the joint military raid, which accidentally resulted in the recovery of his son. “We [Pakistan and US] are partners in war on terror. I am thankful to the US and Afghan governments for this joint action.”

The former PM added governance and intelligence gathering should be improved in the country to ensure the security of the people.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 13^th, 2016.