The Pakistani government has deeply appreciated the Afghan National Army and NATO for their efforts to successfully rescue the kidnapped son of former Prime Minister of Pakistan.

“The leadership of Pakistan have deeply appreciated the successful efforts of Afghanistan National Army and NATO forces in recovering Mr. Gilani safely and arrangements for his immediate return to Pakistan,” a statement by the Foreign Ministry of Pakistan said.

The statement further added that “Pakistan hopes that the three countries can work together to decrease and eliminate terrorism from the region. Terrorists cannot be allowed to hold governments hostage.”

According to Pakistan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, Pakistan’s Ambassador in Kabul, Mr Abrar Hussain, has informed the Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Mr Sartaj Aziz, that Prime Minister’s special aircraft with Mr. Ali Haider Gilani on board, has taken off from Kabul for Lahore.

The aircraft had earlier left for Kabul at 9 am this morning along with Mr Ali Gilani’s brother and Protocol Staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the statement said.

“Ambassador Abrar Hussain received Mr Ali Haider Gilani at the Afghan Ministry of Defence around 10 am from the Afghan Authorities. Thereafter, they were taken to the Airport by a helicopter for onward travel to Lahore,” the statement added.

The Afghan defense officials handed over Ali Haidar Ali Gilani to the Pakistani authorities a day after he was rescued during a joint operation of the Afghan and US special forces.

He was rescued during a joint raid conducted by the US Special Operations Forces and Afghan commandos.

“Ali Haider Gilani, son of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, was rescued today in Giyan District of Paktika Province Afghanistan by U.S. Special Operations Forces and Afghan Commandos in a partnered raid,” a statement by USFOR-A said.