Apology over Sahil mistaken identity

Reporter: DAWN MARSDEN
Date online: 12 March 2010

PAKISTANI officials have apologised after wrongly stating that kidnapped Shaw youngster Sahil Saeed had been found safe and well.

Reports yesterday morning said the five-year-old had been found after a number of arrests, including one woman, were made.

But Pakistani High Commissioner Wajid Shamsal Hasan says the child found in Sialkot is not Sahil.

He added: “It is a case of mistaken identity which has been spread by the media.

“Sahil Saeed has not been found but there are definite leads and the police will find him soon.

“Police are working 24 hours a day and they are confident of recovering this boy.”

Sahil, a pupil at Rushcroft Primary in Shaw, was snatched last Thursday morning as he prepared to leave his grandmother’s house to return to Manchester Airport.

The family were subjected to a six hour ordeal in which they were beaten and robbed before Sahil was taken with kidnappers demanding a £100,000 ransom for his return.

Former Oldham Mayor and family friend Riaz Ahmad said: “We still haven’t received any news and it is getting really desperate now.

“Our hopes were raised yesterday when we thought Sahil had been found but then they were dashed and that was really cruel for Sahil’s mother.

“Everyone is sticking together and all we can do is hope and pray for Sahil’s safe return.”