MULTAN: Ali Haider Gilani, a son of former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, said the nation would have to unite to combat terrorism.

Talking to the local media at the spot from where he was abducted three years ago, Ali said here on Sunday the country had improved in terms of security as compared with three-and-a-half-years ago. He said his freedom was not his victory alone, but credit went to the masses also, as his secretary Ghulam Mohiuddin and security guard Ameen had died while attempting to save him.

He made it clear that his kidnappers were Pakistani who had later told him they belonged to Al Qaeda. He also disclosed that his kidnappers and their facilitators belonged to ‘Al Qaeda Punjab’.

He further said his party would decide about him contesting the next general elections.

“We all will have to work together and strengthen to fight terrorism so that there is no more killing and no more abductions,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, Yousaf Raza Gilani called on the secretary general of the Council of Europe, Thorbjorn Jagland, at a lunch hosted by the latter in Paris.

A press release issued here on Sunday stated that Mr Gilani met Mr Jagland on Thursday.

“The leaders discussed the current situation of peace and security and peace in Pakistan and South Asia and Mr Jagland admired the efforts of Pakistan regarding encountering terrorism,” it added.

It further said Mr Jagland congratulated the Mr Gilani on the achievements and work done on the issue in his tenure as well.

“He also admired the efforts of last governments in sustainability of democracy in a country like Pakistan that faced long periods of dictatorship. Mr Jagland who also served his country Norway in the same capacities that Mr Gilani has served for Pakistan — prime minister and speaker of the National Assembly wished his Pakistani peer the continuation of the process of peace and sustainability in his country and ensured every possible cooperation at any level for the efforts. He was of the view that a sustainable and prosperous Pakistan is need of the hour for a peaceful and strong Asian region,” the press release concluded.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2016