FAISALABAD, Feb 7: The local police have failed to recover a boy kidnapped by the relatives of a murder convict to stop his execution. This is the second time that heirs of Saqib alias Saqi, to be hanged at the local jail on Feb 13, have kidnapped a member of slain Muhammad Riaz’s family in a bid to force them to pardon the convict.

Young Zahid Saleem was kidnapped two weeks ago but local police could not recover him till Tuesday evening as the kidnappers allegedly enjoyed the backing of an influential ruling party member of the Punjab Assembly.

According to police record, Saqib of Chak 209-RB falling in the jurisdiction of Saddar police station gunned down Muhammad Riaz about six years ago over a petty issue.

Local sessions court awarded Saqib capital punishment which was upheld by superior courts and the president of Pakistan.

Death warrants were issued thrice but the convict’s heirs got the execution delayed through various means. As a lost resort they got Asim Ali, son of deceased Riaz, kidnapped a month ago and threatened to kill him if Saqib was not pardoned.

The police rounded up 30 people from Saqib’s family, including two policemen stated to be his relatives. This mounted pressure on Saqib’s family who freed Asim. Police also freed the detainees and did not proceed against the family on kidnapping charges.

A fortnight ago, Saqib’s relatives abducted another boy, Zahid Saleem, from Riaz’s family

The aggrieved family is now running from pillar to post for the safety of Zahid Saleem as Feb 13 draws near. It is under great pressure to appear before a sessions judge and pardon the convict.