http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/8958627.Blackburn_couple_arrested_in_Pakistan_over_boy_s__murder_/?ref=mr#A BLACKBURN couple have been arrested in Pakistan on suspicion of murdering a 10-year-old boy.
Malik Mohammed Ali, and his wife, Irfana, are being questioned after the child was kidnapped from a mosque, hanged and had his head smashed by a stone.
According to reports in Pakistan, police are investigating claims that the death is connected to a dispute over Ali’s inheritance in his father’s will.
The boy, called Daniyal, is said to be Ali’s step-brother after his father re-married.
It is alleged that Ali had been frozen out of his inheritance in favour of Daniyal.
Members of Blackburn’s Pakistani community said they were ‘shocked’ at the reports from the city of Jhelum, in Punjab Province.
Both the Foreign Office and the British Embassy in Islamabad confirmed they were aware of the case and were providing assistance.
Irfana’s grandfather is a well-known community figure, living in Burlington Street, Blackburn.
Malik Khadim Hussain, who is in his 90s, travelled to Pakistan this week after hearing of his granddaughter’s arrest.
He is a former chairman of Randall Street Mosque and is understood to have fought for Britain in the Second World War.
Irfana is believed to have lived in Grindleton Road in the Johnston Street area with her father, a taxi driver, before marrying Ali, who came from Pakistan.
The couple, moved to Milton Keynes around two years ago, and are believed to have three young children.
In February the couple travelled to Pakistan.
According to Pakistani newspaper reports, the couple, along with another brother, are being questioned over the hanging of the boy, who was reported missing on March 31.
Burlington Street resident Abib Sultan added: “The area where this happened is usually very peaceful, and people are supposed to help each other. Everyone is in shock. When I heard about this I couldn’t sleep.”
A Foreign Office spokesman confirmed: “We are aware of the arrest of two British nationals in Pakistan, and are providing consular assistance.”
The three people have been arrested but not formally charged.
British High Commission spokesman Rob Murphy added: “Consular staff in Islamabad are aware of the case and are making contact with the accused.”
The Lancashire Telegraph has been unable to contact the couple or the police in Pakistan.
Jhelum is a city on the right bank of the Jhelum River and has a population of around 175,000.
Known as the city of martyrs and warriors, it has provided a large number of soldiers to the British and Pakistan forces.
It is ninety minutes drive from Islamabad.
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