Happy family’s wait for Sahil

THAT’S my boy . . . mum Akila overjoyed after speaking to Sahil

DAD FLIES OUT TO BRING HIS KIDNAPPED SON HOME

THE father of kidnap victim Sahil Saeed was expected to land in Pakistan today to bring his five-year-old home to huge celebrations in Oldham.

Overjoyed mum Akila Naqqash is expecting her son back within 24 hours after revealing how it felt like a dream to speak to him on his release.

Sahil’s grandmother Tasneem Bashir said the family had collected him from a police station in Jhelum and they were now in a safe house at the British Consulate in Islamabad and waiting to reunite him with dad Raja Naqqash Saeed.

Police revealed how the little boy was found barefooted and shaven-headed in a field yesterday, 20 miles from where he had been snatched by men wielding guns and grenades, after his abductors freed him.

He was safe and well and able to speak to his mum over the telephone, who beamed broadly as she revealed: “The first thing he said was, ‘Mummy mummy I’ve bought some new toys’.”

Speaking from her home in Queen Street, Shaw, she added: “We are overjoyed. I am over the moon. He hasn’t mentioned anything about what happened. He was talking about his sisters.

“When he comes back I am going to give him a big kiss and cuddles and keep him happy.”

There will be a big party with excited friends and teachers at Rushcroft Primary School.

Former Oldham Mayor and family friend Riaz Ahmad said: “I think Sahil will be home fairly quickly. The family appreciates all the help, support and prayers from the community, authorities and media.”

But there remains confusion in Pakistan with no new arrests made and conflicting reports over whether a ransom had been paid. Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah claimed that an international gang had demanded that money was paid in a European country but this has not been confirmed. It has left British Pakistanis in Oldham fearful of travelling to the country and Akila revealed she would never go back to Pakistan.

GMP Assistant Chief Constable Dave Thompson said: “Sahil has been through a terrible ordeal but appears unharmed and physically OK.”

He said Pakistani police want to reunite Sahil with his parents as soon as possible, adding: “It’s been incredibly devastating but they have come through it very well. Emotionally I think it will come out now.”

Sahil was snatched from his grandmother’s house on March 4 at the end of a two-week stay with his father.

Oldham Council leader Councillor Howard Sykes said: “On behalf of Oldham Council and all the borough’s citizens let me say I am absolutely delighted that Sahil has been found safe and well.

“Everyone in the borough has been hoping for a happy ending to this story and this has been achieved.”