LONDON – A man has been arrested in connection with the kidnapping of a five-year-old British boy who was snatched by gun-wielding robbers in Pakistan.
Sahil Saeed was taken from his grandmother’s house in the Punjab region when it was raided yesterday morning.
“Police in Pakistan have confirmed the arrest of one man in connection with the kidnapping and have detained him for questioning,” a foreign office spokesman said.
“Consular staff are in close contact with the investigating officer.”
No further details were immediately available and the foreign office said the implications of the arrest were unclear.
Sahil’s mother wept earlier yesterday as she begged the kidnappers not to hurt her son. Akila Naqqash (31) said there was “no way” her family could afford a £100,000 ransom on his head.
Speaking at her home in Oldham, greater Manchester, Ms Naqqash paid tribute to her “really sweet boy”.
She said: “We have got no idea why we were targeted, we don’t have any money.
“There is no way we could raise that money, there is nothing we can do. I would say [to the kidnappers] just why? Why can’t you just be a grown person?
“He is just a little boy. He is just five years old, he was due to come home today. Please don’t hurt him.”
Breaking down in tears, Ms Naqqash added: “He is just a really sweet little boy, he is really tiny, he would not harm anyone.”
She said his father had taken him to stay with relatives and that he had been due to fly home with his father today.
His father, Raja Naqqash Saeed, said the kidnappers had originally put a noon deadline on the ransom for Sahil’s safe return.
He said robbers with guns and grenades had broken into the house in Jhelum, where he and his son were staying with the youngster’s grandmother. – (PA)