MULTAN, Pakistan (AP) – The captors of a former Pakistani prime minister’s son demanded the release of several al-Qaida prisoners in exchange for his release, the former premier said Sunday.
Yusuf Raza Gilani said he spoke by phone for eight minutes to his son Ali Haider, who he believed was being held somewhere in Afghanistan.
Gunmen seized Haider in May 2013. In a video, later released purportedly by the Taliban, the militants claimed to be holding him hostage.
His son appeared to be in good condition, Gilani said.
“They’re demanding, they’re talking about the release of some al-Qaida men, their children and women,” Ginai said. He said he had previously taken up the issue with the Afghan president and planned to pursue the matter with Pakistani officials.