really surprised there is no thread about the 5 yo British boy kidnapped in Pakistan.

[wannaBe]

Sorry - unable to copy/paste links atm.

But basically the house was broken into, the family were beaten and went through a six hour ordeal before the kidnappers left with the child who was on holiday with his father.

They are demanding a £100000 randsome.

I thought it was so sad seeing the distress on the mothers face, and the father looked haunted. But when I talked about it at work, I was shocked at the amount of people who were suspicious it was a scam. Not sure why though - dont see that myself. Definately not a race thing as we are of mixed race in our office (like a mirror of the world to be honest - its great).

Kidnappings in India are on the increase, mostly children of professional/middle class families
It is a quick and easy way to make a fat buck, and yes, sometimes tourists are targeted
It is now the third highest kidnapping country, overtaking Columbia
South America has a massive industry in kidnapping

see here

Its just awful. There can be nothing worse than your children being taken. Nothing worse at all.

hope they find him safe and well ,felt really sorry for the mother ,bafe

BAFE, I used to live in Oldham, and this morning the website for the local paper was full of comments like yours. Don't miss the place at all.

Here's an update.
cwww.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/8/news-headlines/37750/freedom-hope-for-sahil

Awful situation...

BAFE - please get off your high horse about being out of school in term time - maybe they couldn't afford the stupidly high air fare cost to go in the school holidays.

Heartbreaking. My son is 5 and part of you thinks what if that was my child...

I hope this little boy is rescued safely. His poor family.

Yes - poor little lad - he looks cute as a button. Hope they are treating him well.
Let's hope he is returned v soon.

I read one news report stating that kidnaping is fairly common in that area (not that that should excuse their awful behaviour) but maybe it will bring that to the media's attention too.

Prayers for little Sahil...

The poor mothers tears were heartbreaking.

I hope they find him safe and well, and I do hope that no-one in the family were involved, otherwise the betrayal would be awful, and make the horrid situation worse (if that is possible)

somehow, I hope it's a scam. At least that would mean the boy is probably safe.
It was said in the news that dd was unemployed - so prpbably they are not very wealthy people. Still, he could afford to fly himself and his son to Pakistan.
The following scenario could be worth looking into: Dad is desperate for money. Takes boy to Pakistan, where the "abduction" is arranged - Mum at home doesn't know about it.
We can all remember how Sharon Matthew's mum "cried her eyes out" on TV when her daughter ahron sas "abducted" - by herself and her lover. I DOES happen...

Well, Pakistan is a long old way - I think you find that people with families involving longhaul flights do argue to take their kids during term time as it would be prohibitive to do so in the holidays cost wise.

I hope the boy is returned safe.

they are saying that it's almost certainly an inside job. not that the parents are involved but that it's either a family member or someone close to the family ie a friend/the driver etc.

Have to say the one thing that makes me a bit is the six hour ordeal followed by the kidnapping. If kidnapping was the agenda then why not just snatch the child and run?

Its Shannon Matthews

And I think speculation like that is a little cruel at this stage when all the facts dont seem to be clear.

There was no thread because this is a British Asian child.

Don't like that assumption? So sue me.

got news24 on whilst DS asleep and this gorgeous boys mum has just done another appeal

god only knows if he is safe and the pain is terrible.

kind of agree that it poss would be diff if it was a blonde/blue eyed whod been taken but im seeing alot of coverage being in the NWest.

hope he is ok

tbh though it's not just a normal missing child story is it? So there's nothing to report on, iyswim.

If a child goes missing there can be a police hunt etc but in this case they know someone took him so all the searching needs to be done behind the scenes, plus it's in a foreign country.

Well I think there has been a fair amount of coverage in the media. So if little interest from MN then that's reflective of MN.

"it's in a foreign country."

So that's all right then.

More news on BBC news - but still not reflected here.

Let's hope that the little one is returned safe and sound and fast.

Seeker - there are many children go missing that we never hear about. Dont think you can assume it is because he is british asian. As wannabe says if a child goes missing then media coverage is good as everybody can look for child. But this child was taken and too much media coverage may go against the investigation. Mumsnet threads may reflect the amount of media coverage given.

Portugal isn't a foreign country, obviously.

I feel so sorry for the family, I really hope the little lad is found safe and sound soon.