Mother appeals to her son's captors

THE mother of a British boy held captive in Pakistan has said she had forgiven the kidnappers as she made an emotional plea for the safe return of her son.

In a message to the kidnappers, Akila Naqqash, 31, said: "I just want my son back. All is forgiven, I will forgive you.

"You may have children yourself. I forgive you."

Naqqash said the family were still awaiting updates from Pakistan, where her husband, Raja Naqqash Saeed, received assurances from the country's prime minister that every effort was being made to recover five-year-old Sahil Saeed.

Meanwhile, police in the Punjab region of the country are continuing to question several men over the abduction but there was no sign of an imminent rescue.

Sahil was grabbed by gun and grenade-wielding raiders on Thursday from his grandmother's house.

They were said to have demanded a 100,000 ransom.

Pakistan's Prime Minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani, called Sahil's father to assure him they have the full support of his government.

The Foreign Office echoed the mother's appeal and said its High Commission in Islamabad was in regular contact with the police officer leading the investigation.

Naqqash said: "All we can do is just pray for him. I am hopeful, I am just praying all day and every night. All we are doing is waiting."

She renewed her appeal to the Prime Minister and governments worldwide to step up their efforts to help in the hunt for the youngster.

She pleaded: "Gordon Brown and other countries, just do anything to get my son back.

"We can just hope and pray, and see what they can do."

She thanked well-wishers from across Britain who have contacted the family. "It is a good comfort that people from the UK have sent us cards of support.

"Sahil's friends have made pictures for him. We have had loads of support from everyone."