Pakistan kidnap boy found safe
Sahil Saeed
A British boy kidnapped while on holiday in Pakistan nearly two weeks ago has been located safe and well, the British High Commission said today.
Sahil Saeed, aged five, was snatched from a house in the Punjab region of the country on March 4 after robbers held his family hostage at gunpoint.
The British High Commission in Islamabad said today he had been released and was safe, describing his recovery as “fantastic news”.
The British High Commissioner in Islamabad, Adam Thomson, said: ``This is fantastic news.
“It brings to an end the traumatic ordeal faced by Sahil Saeed’s family.
“I would like to praise the high level of cooperation between the UK and Pakistani authorities and in particular I would like to thank the Jhelum police for their role in bringing about the safe return of Sahil.”
Foreign Office officials said they were unable at present to provide any more details about the boy’s release.
Sahil, from Oldham in Greater Manchester, was on holiday with his father, Raja Naqqash Saeed, in Pakistan when he was snatched.
Raiders struck as the pair were preparing to take a taxi to the airport for their flight home to the UK.
The kidnappers originally set a deadline of noon the next day for the money to be delivered.
After Sahil was taken, several men – including a taxi driver – were arrested.
His family suffered frustrations during the investigation, after Pakistani authorities said on several occasions they were close to securing the boy’s release.
Sahil’s mother, Akila Naqqash, begged for the safe return of her son back home in Oldham, telling the kidnappers at one point: “I just want my son back. All is forgiven, I will forgive you.”
Mr Naqqash Saeed returned to the UK at the start of last week, despite reports police in Pakistan wanted him to stay in the country as a witness.
Police official Ijaz Ahmed said Sahil was found earlier today in the town of Dinga in Punjab province.
Dinga is some 20 miles (30km) from his relatives’ house in Jhelum where he was kidnapped.
The raiders apparently demanded a £100,000 (€110,000) ransom for the boy’s return.
His family promptly said there was “no way” they could afford any such payment.
