Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Ali Haider Gilani, the son of former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani who was kidnapped some three years back from Multan, has been recovered from Afghanistan in a joint operation carried out by US and Afghan forces against an ‘al-Qaeda group’.

Ambassador of Afghanistan to PakistanHazrat Omar Zakhilwal conveyed the news of recovery of his son to former PM Yousaf Raza Gilani.

“Afghan National Security Adviser Mohammad Hanif Atmar in a telephone call to prime minister’s advisor Sartaj Aziz confirmed that Gilani wasrecovered in a joint operation carried out by Afghan and US security forces in Ghazni, Afghanistan,”a statement issued by the Foreign Office said. Preparations were being made to send him to Pakistan following a medical check-up, the statement said, and added that Ali Haider was safe and in good health.

In an exclusive talk with Daily Times, Afghan ambassador in Islamabadalso confirmed the news. “Operation was conducted in Central Afghanistan which is a very difficult terrain.At this moment, I am not sure how many security personnel or the kidnappers were killed or injured in the operation,” he said, and hoped that the release will bring positive impact on the bilateral relations.

Though it was reported earlier that Gilani was recovered in an operation in Ghazni province, Afghan presidency in a later statement said he was recovered from Giyan district of Paktika province. The raid targeted an al-Qaeda cell, and Ali Haider had been sent to the Pakistani embassy in Kabul, the presidential statement added.

PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto also confirmed the recovery of former premier’s son.“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.

Army chief Gen Raheel Sharif and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif telephoned Yousuf Raza Gilani to congratulate him on the recovery of his son.

Scenes of joyous celebration erupted as news of release reached Bagh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), where crowds had already gathered for a PPP rally on Tuesday afternoon.

Former PM Yousaf Raza Gilani gave a brief but energetic address to the rally, saying his son has been rescued from Afghanistan after three years of captivity.Gilani said he received the news of his son’s release as he was getting on the helicopter to come to Bagh, but he chose to continue to the rally. “My son has been rescued with your prayers.”