Sahil Saeed kidnap - mother pleads for return of son
Sahil Saeed was taken by robbers after a raid on his grandmother's home
The mother of a five-year-old UK boy kidnapped in Pakistan, has pleaded for his safe return. Sahil Saeed was snatched by armed robbers on Wednesday while visiting relatives with his father.
Mother Akila Naqqash made a tearful appeal to his captors, saying she would "forgive them" if they released Sahil.
Reports say Pakistan's prime minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani has urged police to increase efforts to find a five-year-old UK boy kidnapped in the country.
Akila Naqqash said their family had "been praying all day and all night" for his release. "It's all we can do," she added.
Asked if she had a message for the kidnappers she said: "You should know and have it in your hearts. Please give our son back and we will forgive you. I will forgive you. God will forgive you.
"All I want is the safety of my son."
Confident
Sahil was taken from his grandmother's home in the Punjab city of Jhelum as he prepared to take a taxi to the airport for his return flight to the UK.
The attackers are said to have demanded a £100,000 ransom for his return.
On Friday, Sahil's family, from Oldham, denied the kidnap was an "inside job".
They spoke out after a senior Pakistani diplomat hinted at the possibility, but later clarified he had not meant a relative.
Local police say they believe the kidnappers had been tipped off by someone close to the family.
It is understood several men, including a taxi driver, have been arrested.
Detectives in Pakistan have said they are confident Sahil will be returned to his family.
The boy's father, Raja Saeed, had been in Pakistan for two weeks visiting his mother with Sahil.
Mr Saeed said they were just about to leave for the airport at 2300 local time (1800 GMT) when four men - armed with guns and a grenade - approached the house.
Up to 10 family members inside the house were beaten by the intruders during a six-hour ordeal, he said.
The robbers took items believed to be jewellery and money and fled with the boy.
They said they would be back in touch, but the boy's father said he had not heard from them.
Mr Saeed, who has been based in the UK for about seven years, told BBC News earlier this week he was ready to swap places with his only son.
"I don't have any money at all," he said. "They can take me if they want - just let my son come back. I am nothing without him."
The British High Commission in Islamabad, has said it is "continually monitoring the situation".
Five year old British born Sahil Saeed kidnapped in Pakistan
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