Kidnap timeline: How the ordeal unfolded

Five-year-old Sahil Saeed, from Oldham, was apparently kidnapped nearly two weeks ago while holidaying with his father in Pakistan. Here is a timeline of events surrounding the abduction:

March 3

:: Gun-wielding robbers break into a house in the Punjab region at 11pm and Sahil Saeed and his family are subjected to a six-hour ordeal.

March 4

:: Sahil, from Oldham in Greater Manchester, is kidnapped while he and his father are staying with relatives at the house in Jhelum.

:: His father Raja Naqqash Saeed says the robbers are demanding a £100,000 ransom for his safe return.

:: At the family home in Oldham, Sahil's mother Akila Naqqash weeps as she says there is "no chance" they can pay and pleads with her son's captors not to hurt him.

:: A man is arrested in connection with the kidnapping and taken in for questioning.

March 5

:: Police in Pakistan say a number of suspects are being questioned.

:: Sahil's relatives deny any involvement in his abduction amid suggestions that detectives are investigating the possibility of an "inside job".

:: The kidnappers reportedly speak to Mr Saeed on the telephone and tell him "the boy is with us and we will call you later".

March 6

:: The prime minister of Pakistan, Yousuf Raza Gilani, assures Mr Saeed the government is making an all-out effort to rescue Sahil.

:: Sahil's mother begs for the safe return of her son, telling the kidnappers: "I just want my son back. All is forgiven, I will forgive you."

March 8

:: Mr Saeed returns to the UK, according to sources. It is reported police in Pakistan wanted him to stay in the country as a witness.

March 11

:: The British Government "urgently" checks reports Sahil has been found, but hopes are later dashed after Pakistani authorities confirm the search is still ongoing.

March 12

:: Greater Manchester Police say Mr Saeed is working with them to try to recover Sahil.

March 16

:: British High Commission in Islamabad confirm Sahil has been released in Pakistan and is safe.