LAHORE: Ali Haider Gilani, son of ex-premier Yousuf Raza Gilani, broke his silence about his kidnapping ordeal on Tuesday, saying he was abducted by Al Qaeda, which wanted the release of some women from the family of Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zwahiri in exchange for his freedom.
Speaking to BBC Urdu at his Lahore residence, Gilani said he was in Al Qaeda's captivity for three years.
Ali Gilani was recovered last month in a joint operation carried out by Afghan and US forces from an Al Qaeda compound in Afghanistan’s Paktika province.
Ali Gilani says that during this time in captivity, an important member of Al Qaeda who went by the name of Zia stayed with him.
"Al Qaeda was demanding the release of some women from Ayman al-Zwahiri's family in my exchange, and a hefty sum."
He said although he had not received any threats prior to his abduction, he was told that he was being "followed".
Haider was running for a provincial assembly seat from Multan when he was kidnapped on May 9, 2013. One of his guards and his secretary were killed during his abduction.
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