Pak-origin Briton ''masterminded'' own abduction for dad''s money

M Zulqernain

Lahore, Jan 16 (PTI) As if straight out of a Bollywoodflick, a Briton of Pakistani origin "masterminded" his ownabduction along with that of his British wife to extractmoney from his father, police said today.

Police officials said they had received a report thatJaima Louis William, 24, and her husband, Syed AwaisHaider, 25, were abducted at gun-point while at Gulberg inLahore about a week ago.

A call was subsequently made from Haider''s cell phone tohis residence in Iqbal Town, demanding Rs 5 million (about USD60,000) from his family.

The family paid Rs 200,000 before it informed policeabout the abduction.

Superintendent of Police Umer Virk of the CrimeInvestigation Agency told PTI that the couple had beenrecovered safely and police were investigating Haider''s rolein the drama.

A case has been registered against Haider and two ofhis friends.

"Actually we have taken Haider and a few of hisfriends into custody for masterminding the kidnapping drama.

Haider made the plan with the help of his friends to extractmoney from his father," Virk said.

Haider was under the impression that his father wouldseek money from his wife''s father in case he failed to pay theransom, he said.

Virk said William was not aware of her husband''splan.

"Haider has confessed to his crime but he is pretendingto be innocent before his wife," he said.

"We traced the abductors � Haider and his friends �with the help of phone calls Haider''s friends made to hisfather, Haider Ali," Virk said.

The couple married about two years ago and have aneight-month-old son. They came to Pakistan in August 2010.

"Haider had left the baby at home when he wentshopping with his wife. Interestingly, he also left his car athome and preferred travelling by cab," Virk said.