An IT professional with degrees from the US, Robin Singh was kidnapped by the militants in Peshawar Feb 12 for a ransom of Rs10 million.

"My wife Shama and I have been broken by this tragic happening. We don't have the money pay, and we don't know what to do,'' 70-year-old Dass told IANS.

Dass said his sons have been targeted because they are baptized Sikhs. "I am appealing to the Canadian government to help us... we are a Sikh family and my baptized sons are under threat. They are under threat to convert.''

Dass, who was sponsored by his another son Sajan Singh (who came to Canada in 1997), was reluctant to involve India in the issue. "India can't do anything. In fact, its mention will only complicate things for us.''

He said he was happy with the efforts made by the Pakistani authorities to get his son released. "Pakistan minister for minorities Shahbaz Bhatti is trying his best. I have spoken to him. President Zardari has also mentioned the case in his speeches. They are doing their best.''