Father of kidnap victim Sahil Saeed leaves Pakistan

The father of the five-year-old British boy kidnapped at gunpoint in Pakistan has returned home to the UK against the wishes of Pakistani police.

Sahil Saeed, from Oldham, Greater Manchester, was taken from his grandmother's home in Pakistan by a gang wielding guns and grenade launchers.

Raja Naqqash Saeed, his father, was with him at the time of the kidnap in Jhelum, Punjab, and had remained in the country amid efforts to rescue his son.

It is understood that while not a suspect in the investigation, and so free to travel, Mr Saeed has left the country against the wishes of Pakistani police.

Rehman Malik, the country's interior minister, told the BBC that police had wanted the Mr Saeed to stay as a witness. Mr Malik has said that due to the nature of the kidnap police believe someone "very close to the family" had taken Sahil.

Mr Malik had previously said the police were close to catching the attackers.

Police have not yet commented on Mr Saeed's departure.

The family of Mr Saeed, including his mother and uncle, have said they do not know his whereabouts and knew nothing about the fact he might have left and gone back to the UK.

Mr Saeed's wife and two daughters are at the family's home in Oldham.

Sahil was taken from his grandmother's home in 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.