A 12-YEAR-OLD former Blackburn girl at the centre of an abduction scare will remain in Pakistan after temporary custody was awarded to her father.

Molly Campbell, who used to live in Moss Street in the Daisyfield area of the town, disappeared from her home in the Western Isles of Scotland amid fears she had been kidnapped.

A massive international investigation was launched after it emerged she had flown to Pakistan with her sister and father.

Her mother Louise Campbell and father Sajad Ahmed Rana, who divorced in 2001, have each made it clear they are determined to secure long-term custody.

A judge in Pakistan Amir Javed Rana, awarded custody to the girl's father until September 6, when a hearing will be held to decide guardianship.

Scottish police, who have said the case could be a violation of the Child Abduction Act since Molly's mother was awarded legal guardianship last year, have completed an investigation and filed a report for the hearing.

The judge also ordered that notification of the guardianship hearing be passed on to the British Consulate in Lahore. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry has said it would investigate if it receives an official approach from British authorities.