Yousuf Raza Gilani rejects paying ransom for son's release

Former PM reiterates US and Afghan forces’ operation resulted in Ali Haider Gilani’s release

Former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday rejected the different 'rumours' circulating on social media regarding the release of his son Ali Haider Gilani after three years in detention.

“All people on social media are not our friends. There may be some other people on social media who do not like us,” the ex-premier said in response to a question whether ransom money was paid for his son's release.

Speaking to reporters outside his Lahore residence, Gilani said his son was recovered after a successful military operation carried out by the US and Afghan forces in Afghanistan.



“There had been a military operation on a foreign country’s soil, leaving several al Qaeda terrorists dead. This resulted in the release of Ali Haider from Afghanistan.”

The PPP leader lauded the efforts of US and Afghan forces for the safe recovery of his son.

“The credit goes to the forces of United States and Afghanistan. I appreciate them.”

Gilani said he received several phone calls, congratulating him over his son’s recovery.

“US ambassador [to Pakistan] felicitated me over the phone and said he would have personally welcomed him [Haider] if he had arrived in Islamabad,” he said.

“Democratic candidate for US presidency Hillary Clinton also called me and said ‘we are fighting the war on terror and we have a partnership with Pakistan. If I get elected as US president I will invite you to the White House.’”



In response to a question regarding the recent offer from a Hollywood director to Ali Haider for making a film on his three-year captivity, Gilani said: “It is up to Ali Haider to take a decision whether he wants to support this idea or to write a book.”

Media reports have suggested Ali Haider was approached by ‘Jurassic World’ director Steven Spielberg for a film on his three years in captivity.

“I would like to make a film on the three years you spent in captivity and all that you experienced during that time,” Spielberg was quoted as telling Ali Haider.

Ali Haider had arrived in Lahore on Wednesday after he was rescued during a counter-terror raid by US and Afghan forces in eastern Afghanistan Tuesday.



He was kidnapped by militants in the outskirts of Multan on May 9, 2013, just two days before a bitterly contested national election in which he was campaigning.

Earlier, addressing the media on Thursday, Ali Haider had refused to share any details about his time in the custody of militants, saying it was a long story which he would tell some other time.

He did not have plans to write a book at least for now, added Ali Haider.