Father of Pakistan kidnap boy Sahil Saeed helps police

Raja Saeed has left Pakistan where his son Sahil was kidnapped

The father of a five-year-old boy who was kidnapped in Pakistan has returned home and is helping officers in the search for his son, police have said.

Raja Saeed, 28, is aiding authorities "to ensure the safe return of Sahil", Ch Supt Darren Shenton said.

Sahil, from Oldham, Greater Manchester, was taken by armed robbers from his grandmother's house in Jhelum, Punjab.

UK police stressed they have made no arrests in the case. Authorities in Pakistan are leading the search.

They have arrested several people including a taxi driver.

However, on Thursday they said it could be several days or weeks before the boy is found.

Police are working closely with Sahil's father, his wife and the family to ensure the safe return of Sahil Ch Supt Darren Shenton

Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said he believes someone "very close to the family" was responsible for the abduction.

On Wednesday, the BBC learned that Mr Saeed had returned to the UK.

Although he was free to travel, he did so against the wishes of Pakistan's police who felt his presence could have helped them recover Sahil more quickly.

His wife, Akila, has made an impassioned plea for her son's return.

Ch Supt Shenton said: "Following his return from Pakistan, [police] are working closely with Sahil's father, his wife and the family to ensure the safe return of Sahil.

"Our primary concern is Sahil's welfare."

The youngster has been placed on official watch lists to ensure he cannot be taken out of Pakistan.

He and his father were preparing to take a taxi to the airport for their flight home from the two-week family visit when the raiders struck on 3 March.

The attackers are said to have demanded a £100,000 ($150,000) ransom and originally set a deadline of noon the next day for the money to be delivered.

However, four police officers were suspended after it emerged that they did not initially respond to the family's emergency call.

Pakistani community groups in Oldham have said they are considering setting up a fund to pay ransoms in the event of kidnaps.

The UK government has a policy of not paying ransoms and advises third parties against doing so, arguing that this would encourage future kidnappings.

Reports earlier this week that Sahil had been found turned out to be false, causing more anguish for the family.