London, Mar.16 (ANI): Five-year-old British kid, Sahil Saeed, who was said to be abandoned by his kidnappers earlier today, was actually released following the payment of a hefty ransom.

Pakistan's Punjab province Law Minister Rana Sanaullah claimed that Sahil was freed after a ransom was paid in a third country.

Sanaullah said an international gang was involved in the abduction, and that the money was paid neither in Britain nor in Pakistan.

An international gang was involved in the kidnapping, including nationals of other countries. Ransom had been paid not in Britain, but in another country, The Telegraph quoted Sanaullah, as saying.

Sahil was kidnapped earlier this month from his grandmother's house in Punjab's Jhelum district, and a ransom of 100,000 pounds was demanded.

Earlier, while confirming Sahil's safe return, his grandfather Raja Mohammed Basharat told said Sahil was found in the nearby town of Kharian in Gujrat district, and also denied the reports regarding involvement of boy's relatives in the kidnapping.

Basharat had also denied any ransom being paid to secure Sahil's safe return.

There was no family involvement on either the mother or the father's side, and the father himself was not involved according to my sources. We thank and praise Allah for his recovery. We are very happy with the investigation, with the local police, the British High Commission, everybody, he said.

The British High Commission in Pakistan has also confirmed Sahil's release, and praised both Pakistani and British official for warking together to ensure the toddler's return.

It brings to an end the traumatic ordeal faced by Sahil Saeed's family. I would like to praise the high level of cooperation between the UK and Pakistani authorities and in particular I ould like to thank the Jhelum police for their role in bringing about the safe return of Sahil, British High Commissioner to Pakistan Adam Thomson said. (ANI)