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Gunmen abduct Pakistan ex-PM Gilani's son at election rally Gunmen abduct Pakistan ex-PM Gilani's son at election rally
(35 minutes later)
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani says his son has been kidnapped by unidentified gunmen during an election rally. The son of former Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has been kidnapped by unidentified gunmen during an election rally.
Mr Gilani told the BBC his son Ali Haider - a candidate for the Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) - was seized in the central city of Multan.Mr Gilani told the BBC his son Ali Haider - a candidate for the Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) - was seized in the central city of Multan.
He accused his political opponents of being behind the attack, which came ahead of Saturday's elections.He accused his political opponents of being behind the attack, which came ahead of Saturday's elections.
One person was reportedly killed when the attackers opened fire at the rally.One person was reportedly killed when the attackers opened fire at the rally.
No group has so far claimed responsibility for Thursday's attack.No group has so far claimed responsibility for Thursday's attack.
Taliban threatsTaliban threats
Eyewitnesses say the gunmen arrived at the gathering in a black Honda car and a motorbike.Eyewitnesses say the gunmen arrived at the gathering in a black Honda car and a motorbike.
"A couple of them started shooting," a teenager at the rally told Pakistan's Geo TV."A couple of them started shooting," a teenager at the rally told Pakistan's Geo TV.
"A man standing in front of Gilani was hit and fell down. Then they grabbed Gilani, put him in the car and sped away.""A man standing in front of Gilani was hit and fell down. Then they grabbed Gilani, put him in the car and sped away."
Reports say the person who died in the shooting could have been Ali Haider Gilani's bodyguard or secretary. Another five people were injured. Reports say the person who died in the shooting was one of Ali Haider Gilani's aides. Another five people were injured.
Eyewitnesses say a bullet also hit Ali Haider and he was bleeding when the kidnappers put him in the car, Pakistan's Express Tribune newspaper reports. Some of those who saw the attack say there was also blood on Ali Haider. Pakistan's Express Tribune newspaper quotes eyewitnesses saying he was hit by a bullet, but this is not confirmed.
Ali Haider - the youngest son of the ex-prime minister - is contesting a seat in the Punjab provincial assembly.Ali Haider - the youngest son of the ex-prime minister - is contesting a seat in the Punjab provincial assembly.
"We want our brother back tonight. If we don't get him, we will not allow elections to be held in our area," his elder brother Ali Musa - who was in tears - later told reporters."We want our brother back tonight. If we don't get him, we will not allow elections to be held in our area," his elder brother Ali Musa - who was in tears - later told reporters.
Police have now sealed off all entry and exit point in Multan, and a massive search operation is under way, local media report.Police have now sealed off all entry and exit point in Multan, and a massive search operation is under way, local media report.
Yousuf Raza Gilani served as prime minister until June 2012, when he was forced out of office by the Supreme Court over his refusal to pursue a corruption case against President Asif Ali Zardari.Yousuf Raza Gilani served as prime minister until June 2012, when he was forced out of office by the Supreme Court over his refusal to pursue a corruption case against President Asif Ali Zardari.
But it is still a powerful political family, with Mr Gilani's sons standing in the elections to the provincial and national assemblies, the BBC's Mike Wooldridge in Islamabad says. But the Gilanis are still a powerful political family, with the two sons standing in elections to the provincial and national assemblies, the BBC's Mike Wooldridge in Islamabad reports.
Who was behind Thursday's attack, and their motive, remains unclear.
Kidnapping is a tactic frequently used by militants and criminal groups across Pakistan. Ransom is an important revenue stream for the Pakistani Taliban and hostages can be used as bargaining chips in negotiations with the authorities, the BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says.
Among the most prominent Taliban hostages is Shahbaz Taseer, the son of assassinated Punjab governor Salman Taseer, who was snatched in Lahore in 2011 and remains in captivity.
Sharif's pledgeSharif's pledge
The run-up to the 11 May elections has been marred by a series of attacks across the country in which more than 100 people have been killed.The run-up to the 11 May elections has been marred by a series of attacks across the country in which more than 100 people have been killed.
The Pakistani Taliban have threatened to prevent the PPP, the Awami National Party (ANP) as well the MQM party, from conducting their election campaigns because they are considered by the militants to be too secular. The Pakistani Taliban have attacked the PPP, the Awami National Party (ANP) and the MQM party for being secular, preventing them from campaigning normally.
The military has pledged to deploy tens of thousands of troops to polling stations on Saturday to prevent further attacks.The military has pledged to deploy tens of thousands of troops to polling stations on Saturday to prevent further attacks.
In a separate development, Nawaz Sharif - the man tipped to be Pakistan's next prime minister - promised to end the country's involvement in the US-led war on terror if elected. On Wednesday, Nawaz Sharif - the man tipped to be Pakistan's next prime minister - promised to end the country's involvement in the US-led war against militants if elected.
Mr Sharif - who leads the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) - told the BBC the move was necessary for there to be peace in Pakistan and elsewhere in the world.Mr Sharif - who leads the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) - told the BBC the move was necessary for there to be peace in Pakistan and elsewhere in the world.
Pakistan has been part of the US-led fight against Islamist militancy in the region since the 11 September attacks in the US in 2001.Pakistan has been part of the US-led fight against Islamist militancy in the region since the 11 September attacks in the US in 2001.
Mr Sharif's remarks may cause concern among Western leaders, the BBC's Orla Guerin reports from Islamabad.Mr Sharif's remarks may cause concern among Western leaders, the BBC's Orla Guerin reports from Islamabad.
However, Mr Sharif - who served as prime minister twice in the 1990s - declined to say whether he would stop military operations against the Taliban and al-Qaeda.However, Mr Sharif - who served as prime minister twice in the 1990s - declined to say whether he would stop military operations against the Taliban and al-Qaeda.
Meanwhile, Imran Khan - another leading Pakistani politician - is continuing to recover in hospital after falling off a makeshift lift at an election rally earlier this week.Meanwhile, Imran Khan - another leading Pakistani politician - is continuing to recover in hospital after falling off a makeshift lift at an election rally earlier this week.
Doctors say that the former cricketer who leads the Tehreek-e-Insaf (Movement for Justice) party - received stitches in the head and treatment for injuries to his spine. Doctors say that the former cricketer - who leads the Tehreek-e-Insaf (Movement for Justice) party - received stitches in the head and treatment for injuries to his spine.