The waiting game continues for the family of Wanstead Islamic militant Ahmed Sheikh, for news of his death row appeal.

A Pakistani court has granted Sheikh leave to appeal against his conviction of the murder of US journalist Daniel Pearl, but months later his family are still awaiting a date.

The family's hopes were raised when the appeal case was transferred from Hyderabad to Karachi, following accusations of injustice in the Hyderabad court, but months later, Sheikh's brother Awais said the family are still in limbo.

The Cambridge law graduate, who lives with his mother Qaissa and father Saeed in Wanstead, said: "There has been no change whatsoever since last

year. They keep adjourning the hearing every three to four weeks.

"I can understand the authorities have got their hands full with everything else going on in the world the war and terrorism but I can't understand why things are taking so long. I'm not sure how long it's going to take.

There is more than enough material and evidence for an appeal, so it shouldn't be delayed for that reason."

Mr Sheikh, 25, who has taken over the management of his family's east London clothing business while his father and mother travel between Britain and Pakistan to be at their elder son's side, says his brother is being well looked after.

He said: "We write letters to each other and he tells me he is ok and is keeping positive.

" He sees his family once a week, his wife and baby son and the rest of the family, which is very reassuring for him. He's being well looked after in terms of his health and security."

Former Forest School pupil Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh was sentenced to death by hanging for masterminding the kidnap and murder of Daniel Pearl last January.

Sheikh and three other defendants, also convicted of Mr Pearl's abduction and murder, were granted appeals by judges at the Karachi high court and

Sheikh's family continue to protest his innocence.

Mr Sheikh added: "There has been a lot of empty speculation surrounding the case, with no evidence to back it up.

"My brother knows he is innocent which is why he is keeping so positive.

All we want is a fair hearing and for justice to be done. We want him back with us as soon as possible."

Sheikh's defence lawyer argued that the special court that tried the four men behind closed doors last summer in the city of Hyderabad had not properly examined the evidence.

Sheikh's father, Sheikh Ahmed Saeed, who was in court, told reporters last year that his son was convicted because of "injustice and some kind of pressure"

May 29, 2003 14:30