Son of former Pakistan PM 'kidnapped'
Ali Haider Gilani abducted after gun battle at campaign rally in Multan that also killed his personal guards.
Last Modified: 09 May 2013 09:48
The family of Ali Haider Gilani asked for his return by midnight on Thursday [Facebook]
The son of former Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has reportedly been kidnapped during a campaign rally in his hometown of Multan, sources have told Al Jazeera.
Ali Haider Gilani was taken during a gunfire at the rally, which apparently killed his personal secretary and injured others.
He is running from two constituencies - NA-151 and NA-152 - as an independent candidate, but is a member of the Pakistan People's Party which completed its five years in government.
Al Jazeera's Imtiaz Tyab, reporting from Pakistan, said that the family had released a statement to the press.
"The brother of Ali Gilani has said in a statement that if his brother is not returned to them by midnight they will cancel all campaigning in the area of Multan and will cancel elections there as well.
"This will have a huge impact on the vote.
"There is obviously a lot of worry from the Gilani family."
Rehman Malik, the former interior minister and a PPP leader, spoke to Al Jazeera in the aftermath of the kidnapping.
"There is a war going on between pro- and anti-Taliban forces in this country. They have captured the son of our leader [former PM Yousuf Raza Gilani] . . they are taking away MNA candidates. So is this a fair election? They can blow up bombs everywhere, carry out gun attacks. Are these elections or selections of people who they [the Taliban] prefer?
"We are saddened by this and praying that he is safely recovered."
Source: Al Jazeera
