Sahil Saeed's mother spoke of her joy after she received a telephone call at her Oldham home from her five-year-old son following his release by kidnappers in Pakistan.

Akila Naqqash, 31, said she was 'gobsmacked' after Sahil came on the phone after his 12-day kidnap ordeal to say: "I'm OK Mum".

The heart-breaking anguish suffered by Akila following his kidnap turned to sheer joy in an early morning telephone call on Tuesday.

Akila, of Shaw, has been praying for her five-year-old son's release since the terrifying news that he had been snatched by a gang armed with guns and grenades.

Kidnapped Sahil Saeed found barefoot and shaven-headed in Pakistan

In an interview with Ruhubia Akbor, of the Oldham Advertiser, Akila said: “We are overjoyed. I am over the moon. I couldn’t believe it. I am really happy and lost for words.

"I have spoken to my little boy this morning, he is a five-year-old who has been captured for 13 days. I was worried about the way he is going to speak but the first thing he said was ‘Mummy mummy I’ve bought some new toys.’

“He was talking as normal. He hasn’t mentioned anything about what happened. He was talking about his sisters. He was found safe and well. He talked to me and my mum. I need to see him with my own eyes to believe it.

“He will fly back but we don’t know when yet.  This hasn’t ever happened before in Pakistan to us. I will never be going back there. We have been going for many years, for generations and this is the first time this has ever happened.

"When he comes back I am going to give him a big kiss and cuddles and keep him happy.

“We have got permission from her for a big party at school. He will be happy to see all his friends and teachers. We are grateful for everything. We would like to thank Greater Manchester Police, the Pakistani authorities and the embassy. Thank all the people who have sent us flowers and cards and best wishes on behalf of my son and all my family.

"When asked about the whereabouts of her husband she said: “I don’t know where he is at the moment. We have not heard from him. He is probably overjoyed.'

“His sisters do miss him, they are too young to understand. But they have asked about him and when he is coming back with their presents.

"They are too young to understand why he is on the TV. What can you say to a four-year-old? It has been really hard to explain. We don’t know anything of the circumstances of how he was found. We know nothing.

"The past few weeks have been really hard. I couldn’t see his face, I just had to turn the TV off, because of all the false information. We were just here waiting for news. We felt so isolated. Now we have finally got the good news we have been waiting for and I have spoken to my boy.

“It was really difficult at the beginning but we have been trying to think positive, just praying day and night. Mosques, churches, all religions have been praying for him. I knew he was going on holiday. It was for two weeks to see his Gran. He has been to Pakistan before, a family trip with my daughter over two years ago. We are hoping he is back very soon. We can’t wait to have him back.

“Me and my husband are still together happily married after seven years, all the speculation has been false. It makes me angry all the stories. I have had had no contact with him (the husband), hopefully he will be bringing back my little boy but we don’t know where he is.”

Referring to the ransom she said: “We don’t have that kind of money lying around. He’ll definitely be getting his jacket potato when he is back. And there will be celebrations. “

Sister-in-law Amrana Istikhar, 33, said: “It has been really hard. They have not left the house. We have just been praying day and night and we believe our prayers have finally been heard. A relative told us, Sahil had been found. We found out at 4.20am. We can’t say anything about the ransom.

"We don’t know anything about it. All we have been doing is praying until he gets here, we will carry on praying. Our prayers have been answered but we will continue until he is here. “

Kidnapped Sahil Saeed found barefoot and shaven-headed in Pakistan

Kidnapped Sahil Saeed found in Pakistan