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Original poster

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

211 replies

wannaBe · 04/03/2010 18:12

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.

OP posts:
2shoes · 11/03/2010 13:02

this is so awful
so sad for the family

Hulababy · 11/03/2010 14:43

So is dad in the UK or not?

And from confirmed BBC sites it is now confirmed that little Sahil has not been found and is still missing.

Good news that another little boy has been found safe though. Obviously no idea on background on that one.

bronze · 11/03/2010 15:08

what is going on?
I've been following this story but havent been able to make head nor tail of whats been going on so havent dared comment. What is the official line?

abride · 11/03/2010 16:04

'However it's dressed up, it's racism.'

I don't think so. I think it's more because Pakistan is seen as a very violent country, unfortunately. This may not be correct but when I think of the last five years' or so's worth of media coverage of Pakistan, I think of bombs, terrorists, dodgy elections, fighting the Taliban, accusations of police raping women who've come to report rape, Jemima Goldsmith leaving her husband because she couldn't live there, etc. That's probably unfortunate and very unfair but it's not racist: it's what I see on my TV screen. I don't often see images of happy families on holidays (though obviously I know that must happen).

Portugal, by contrast, was formerly seen as very safe, a place where you went on beach holidays, somewhere where nothing bad could be expected to happen. And then it tragically did and everyone was very shocked. Especially people like me who'd holidayed with small children in that very resort.

That's what made it a shock when MM went missing.

abride · 11/03/2010 16:07

Should have added that OBVIOUSLY when any small child is taken anywhere in the world it's completely gut-wrenching and awful. When I heard his mother on the radio I felt so awful for her. It's just that, sub-consciously, many people over here are almost primed to expect the worst when there's news from Pakistan. Apart from one programme I watched about railways, which was fascinating, I can't remember the last time I saw 'good' news from Pakistan. And that's a shame. For lots of reasons.

Original poster
wannaBe · 11/03/2010 16:16

I think you're right abride. Also, the fact that a child was actually recovered this morning is very telling of the kind of country it is. In most countries you wouldn't expect to go looking for one missing child and find another.

OP posts:
abride · 11/03/2010 16:25

I suppose at least something good has come of it for the poor child who was recovered.

Megglevache · 11/03/2010 21:16

Agree wholeheartedly with Abride.

Rhubarb · 12/03/2010 12:29

Any news today?

giveitago · 12/03/2010 12:43

Nowt today so far - but as far as I can see little boy still kidnapped - the father in hiding in the UK.

Possibly nothing to report but very surprised that the media aren't trying to find the dad to ask why he's back. The mum is also very quiet - that tells me the investigation is now very sensitive and there are negotations going on. Hopefully fruitful ones.

Original poster
wannaBe · 12/03/2010 12:52

if I was the mum I'm not sure I'd be talking to the media either, given her husband has come back to the UK and hasn't even been in touch.

The police person on the sky news link yesterday (and obv it's sky so take that as you will) said that they were certain it was a family situation that had been brought on by an internal family dispute and that as the family is large the child is presumed to be being passed around within the family.

OP posts:
Rhubarb · 12/03/2010 12:52

I wonder if they are trying to gather together the ransom money? Poor family.

amidaiwish · 12/03/2010 13:55

what the dad is back yet hasn't been in touch with the mum? whose little boy is missing? this gets odder...

giveitago · 12/03/2010 14:59

Amid - the dad is back - and is hiding out somewhere - he may well be in touch with the mother.

The little boy (their little boy) was taken in Pakistan (there with his father - the mother and the two other sisters didn't go).

Sounds increasingly like family involvement - if Sahil is with family then I'd hope he's in good health and being well treated. However - he should be back home with his mum. Full stop.

Think the world is going mad quite honestly.

Original poster
wannaBe · 12/03/2010 15:08

The independent has an article that says that the pakistani and british authorities confirmed that the father did fly back to Britain on tuesday night (they had apparently claimed he was in protective custody yesterday but have now changed their statement), but that none of the family have heard anything from him.

If this little boy is with family then at least one could hope he is being well looked after. But the father is not doing himself any favours with his current actions. after all you'd think that if he was coming back to the UK he would go home to reassure his other two children who must be terrified not knowing what has happened to their brother.

OP posts:
giveitago · 12/03/2010 21:26

Yep, re his little girls - you'd think he'd at least be in touch with them.

Just looked at comments on a Times article (online) and someone posted this

"According to a BBC News 24 interview by Jane Hill with a Pakistani official this afternoon, it looks like a family dispute between in-laws over a piece of property."

All this over a piece of property? If true, god give me strength. Worth having a little innocent child held half way across the world apart from his mum?

But then again, officials to date have not exactly been coherent.

MorrisZapp · 12/03/2010 22:15

Indie article also said that members of the family's community in Oldham thought it v odd that 5 year old was abroad without his mother, and that his mother has not gone over there.

Too early to judge this one isn't it, but impossible not to have thoughts of 'inside job'.

giveitago · 13/03/2010 13:10

Thing is many young children do go abroad without their mum (believe me - this was a huge bone of contention between me and 'd'h - re him taking our lo overseas at 15 months).

But asia is a long long way. However, more recent news is saying the father is in touch with family and helping police which makes it look more likely that it is a family falling out which is behind this.

Horrible that a little boy has to suffer because of adults.

Original poster
wannaBe · 14/03/2010 20:55

this seems to have gone cold now.

but

this

seems to be the latest (although appreciate it's the dm so..._). although interesting if they'd lived apart for a year and the home office had been informed etc...

OP posts:
giveitago · 16/03/2010 10:05

He's been found!!!!!!!!

Hopefully back tomorrow to be reunited with his mum.

He was found ALONE!!!! So much for my theory that family looking after him would keep him safe huh!!!!!!!

giveitago · 16/03/2010 10:07

But looks like a ransom was paid...........

Original poster
wannaBe · 16/03/2010 13:18

I don't think we've heard the last of this case.

OP posts:
Hulababy · 16/03/2010 13:58

Looks like he has been found unarmed too. Sounds like the case is continuinng at present, but whether arrests will be made in unclear.

Rhubarb · 16/03/2010 13:59

"unarmed" sorry

Rhubarb · 16/03/2010 14:00

Yes it does look like a ransom was paid and perhaps that's why the news went all quiet and the family's movements were secretive.