Ali Haider Gilani made his first public appearance in Lahore on Thursday after his release from three-year captivity in Afghanistan.
“I thank all the Pakistanis who prayed for my recovery. It is because of the prayers that God showed His mercy and I have reached home safely,” Haider told media men in Lahore.
“I would also like to thank those who have been celebrating my homecoming, especially those who came [to Lahore] all the way from Multan just to meet me,” he added.
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When asked by a reporter what happened to him while he was in the custody of militants, Haider simply refused to disclose any details, saying it was a very long story which he would narrate some other time.
He was asked if he intends to shave off his beard or if he has become more religious after spending three years with the Taliban he said, “I was very close to Allah, even before the Taliban.”
Read more: Emotional scenes as Ali Haider Gillani reunites with family after 3 years