Ali Haider Gilani, son of former Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, recently detailed his kidnapping experience. Last month, he was rescued from an Al Qaeda compound in Afghanistan’s Paktika province by Afghan and US forces.
During his three-year captivity, Gilani was with a key militant named Zia. He revealed that Al Qaeda demanded the release of Ayman al-Zwahiri’s family members and a large ransom for his freedom.
Gilani recounted his abduction in Lahore. He was attacked at a rally, where his guards were shot, and he was hit with a gun. The kidnappers, six in total and speaking Punjabi, forced him into a car. To prevent tracking, they removed his clothes.
Initially, the abductors questioned Gilani’s religious sect and instructed him to remain silent. They transported him from Multan to Khanewal and then to Faisalabad, using a vehicle disguised with election materials.
They identified themselves as Al Qaeda and cited his father’s actions against Osama bin Laden as the motive for his abduction.
In Faisalabad, Gilani was kept chained for over two months. The kidnappers later claimed to have negotiated his release with his family, possibly to avoid resistance during transit to Waziristan.
Gilani, campaigning for a provincial assembly seat in Multan, was kidnapped on May 9, 2013. His guard and secretary were killed during the abduction.
