Mother to oppose Atiya father bid

A woman whose former partner abducted their daughter and took her to Pakistan says she will oppose his attempts to stay in touch with the girl.

Former insurance salesman Razwan Ali Anjum, 29, says he will ask a High Court judge to allow him to have contact with six-year-old Atiya Anjum-Wilkinson, who was found in Pakistan by police in December, more than three years after vanishing.

Atiya's mother, Gemma Wilkinson, 34, says she will challenge any application Anjum makes.

"It doesn't surprise me that he wants to have contact despite what's happened - that's the way he is," said Ms Wilkinson. "But I will oppose it."

Anjum took Atiya to Pakistan in November 2009, when she was three, after telling Ms Wilkinson they were going to the seaside for a week. Atiya was found on Christmas Eve then flown back to the UK and reunited with Ms Wilkinson.

Anjum was jailed in 2010 after a High Court judge ruled he was in contempt of court because he disobeyed orders to return Atiya or say where she was. He has been given additional jail terms after repeatedly refusing to comply with orders, and failed in a bid to win his freedom earlier this week following Atiya's discovery.

Mr Justice Holman said at a High Court hearing in London that Anjum should stay in jail because he had not helped police find Atiya. Anjum is not eligible for release until March at the earliest, said lawyers.

Anjum told Mr Justice Holman he would seek to have contact with Atiya. The judge said the issue could be raised at a future court hearing, and refused to let Anjum speak to Atiya by telephone prior to any further hearing.

Atiya's case is next due to be discussed at a High Court hearing in Manchester before Mr Justice Peter Jackson on February 1.

Anjum and Ms Wilkinson are from Greater Manchester. Ms Wilkinson had lived in Ashton-under-Lyne, and Anjum came from Rochdale. Ms Wilkinson and Atiya are now living at a secret address.