Ali Haider Gilani says his kidnappers not from TTP: Nisar

Published April 25, 2014
Ali Haider Gilani. – File Photo
Ali Haider Gilani. – File Photo

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Friday confirmed to a private TV channel that the government has received video footage of Ali Haider Gilani in which he said that his kidnappers were not from the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Gilani, the son of former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, is also alleged to have said that his family is not taking serious steps for his release.

The kidnappers have asked for Rs500 million for Gilani’s release instead of the earlier demand of Rs2 billion, said Nisar, adding that the captive can be seen bounded by chains in the video.

This is the first time that any contact was made by him and his captors with the Gilani family since his abduction in from Multan on May 9, 2013 from outside a Pakistan People’s Party office.

In the said video, Gilani says that he will be killed if serious steps are not taken for his release.

Meanwhile, Newsweek quoted a security official in its news report, who said that Gilani questioned his family.

“Why are you people not paying the ransom to the militants to get me released from their custody?” Gilani asked in the video.

The official further added that Gilani appeared haggard and was handcuffed.

“He looked very weak and requested his family to pay the money as soon as possible.”

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