PPP Leader Qamar Zaman Kaira while talking to Capital TV congratulated the country and the Gilani family on the news of recovery of Ali Haider. “I’d like to thank them all”, he added.
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Before departing for Lahore in a special aircraft sent by Pakistani government, Ali Haider said he was “looking forward to being reunited with my family”.Jubilant Gilani family including his mother, wife, son, brothers, party workers and friends received Ali Gilani at the VIP lounge of the Allama Iqbal Airport.
The former prime minister said that it was no less than a miracle that his son’s life was saved.
Ali Gilani, candidate for a provincial assembly seat in the district of Multan, was attending an election event in the town of Multan on May 9, 2013 when the gunmen pulled up, started shooting, grabbed and threw him into a vehicle and drove off.
The US forces had the major part in Operation Freedom Sentinel under which an al-Qaeda compound was raided to free Ali Haider Gilani, they added.
Replying to question about his beard, which he grew during the captivity, he said “I was very close to God before the Taliban as well”.
He did not say no when asked he meant to write a book on his ordeal.
However, Gilani reached his residence in the evening along with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Bakhtawar Bhutto and met Ali Haider.
Ali’s recovery comes two months after the kidnapped son of slain Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer was also freed.
“The raid demonstrates the growing capabilities and effectiveness of the Afghan security forces and is an excellent example of the strong security and intelligence partnership between Afghan and USA forces under Operation Freedom’s Sentinel”, Carter said in a statement.
He was rescued by Afghan and USA forces from al Qaeda captors in Afghanistan.
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Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani also felt grateful for his son’s return.
