Gilani's son says he was close to God even before Taliban abduction

Islamabad: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s son Ali Haider Gilani on Thursday said that he was close to God even before he was abducted by the Taliban.

Ali Haider Gilani reached Pakistan on Wednesday after he was recovered in a joint United States and Afghan operation in Afghanistan against Taliban a day earlier. He was abducted during a rally in May 2013 in Multan and shifted to Afghanistan.

His recovery has come nearly two months after slain former governor, Salman Taseer’s son, Shahbaz Taseer managed to escape Taliban captivity in Afghanistan. He returned home after around five years.

Read: Rescued son of Pakistan ex-PM Yousaf Raza Gilani returns home

Asked about his beard, Ali Haider Gilani said, “I was even closer to God when they had not abducted me.”

His father, Yousaf Raza Gilani, said it was no less than a miracle that his son’s life was saved. He said that Ali Haider Gilani had made notes during captivity to write a book but they were set on fire.

Read: US, Afghan forces find kidnapped son of former Pak PM Gilani in Afghanistan