The mother of a British boy held captive in Pakistan has said she forgave the kidnappers as she made an emotional plea for the safe return of her son.
Police in the Punjab region of the country were continuing to question several men over the abduction but there was no sign of an imminent rescue of five-year-old Sahil Saeed
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 PM Yousuf Raza Gilani called Sahil's father to assure him they have the full support of his government.
His mother, Akila Naqqash, made a direct appeal to the abductors from the family home in Oldham, Greater Manchester, to end their ordeal and let her son go.
The Foreign Office echoed that appeal and said its High Commission in Islamabad was in regular contact with the police officer leading the investigation.
In a message to the kidnappers, Ms Naqqash, 31, said: "I just want my son back. All is forgiven, I will forgive you. You may have children yourself. I forgive you."
The tearful mother said the family were still nervously awaiting updates from Pakistan where her husband, Raja Naqqash Saeed, received assurances from the country's prime minister that they were making every effort to recover the boy.
Ms Naqqash renewed her appeal to Prime Minister Gordon Brown 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 the country who have sent cards to the family. "It is a really 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. All I can say is thank you."
