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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Pakistan kidnap victim Malik Iqbal, of Bradford, killed | Pakistan kidnap victim Malik Iqbal, of Bradford, killed |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| A British man has been murdered in Pakistan as he prepared to give evidence against a gang accused of kidnapping him last year. | A British man has been murdered in Pakistan as he prepared to give evidence against a gang accused of kidnapping him last year. |
| Malik Iqbal has been described as a "determined and brave" by friends, following his death on Friday. | Malik Iqbal has been described as a "determined and brave" by friends, following his death on Friday. |
| Mr Iqbal, 55, from Bradford, was killed when three masked men called at a house he was staying at, in Rawalpindi. | Mr Iqbal, 55, from Bradford, was killed when three masked men called at a house he was staying at, in Rawalpindi. |
| Former Bradford city councillor Riaz Ahmed said it was a "tragic case". | Former Bradford city councillor Riaz Ahmed said it was a "tragic case". |
| Mr Iqbal, who was held hostage for a month in September last year, was released when a £15,000 ransom was paid. | Mr Iqbal, who was held hostage for a month in September last year, was released when a £15,000 ransom was paid. |
| 'Very determined' | 'Very determined' |
| The father-of-four returned to Pakistan in August to give evidence in the kidnapping trial. | The father-of-four returned to Pakistan in August to give evidence in the kidnapping trial. |
| He had originally been detained whilst visiting family in Rawalpindi, and kept in a shed on a farm. | He had originally been detained whilst visiting family in Rawalpindi, and kept in a shed on a farm. |
| He was held for 20 days, chained to a bed during his ordeal, being fed occasional tea and biscuits. | He was held for 20 days, chained to a bed during his ordeal, being fed occasional tea and biscuits. |
| His friend, Mr Ahmed said: "He was very, very determined to go through with this [trial]. | His friend, Mr Ahmed said: "He was very, very determined to go through with this [trial]. |
| "It was very important to him that this would not happen to anyone else. It is testament to his courage." | "It was very important to him that this would not happen to anyone else. It is testament to his courage." |
| Mr Ahmed said there were important questions to be asked about the amount of protection his friend was given. | Mr Ahmed said there were important questions to be asked about the amount of protection his friend was given. |
| Consular assistance | Consular assistance |
| "It is such a tragic, tragic case," he said. | "It is such a tragic, tragic case," he said. |
| "Everyone is shell-shocked by it. It was something Mr Iqbal was afraid of and I think the authorities in Pakistan have let down everybody. | "Everyone is shell-shocked by it. It was something Mr Iqbal was afraid of and I think the authorities in Pakistan have let down everybody. |
| "There should have been some kind of security for him." | "There should have been some kind of security for him." |
| Mr Ahmed said he was not sure what stage the trial had reached. | Mr Ahmed said he was not sure what stage the trial had reached. |
| A spokeswoman from the Foreign Office said: "We are aware of the death of a British national and are providing consular assistance." | A spokeswoman from the Foreign Office said: "We are aware of the death of a British national and are providing consular assistance." |
| When Mr Iqbal spoke to the BBC last year, following his kidnapping, he warned others not to visit the country. | When Mr Iqbal spoke to the BBC last year, following his kidnapping, he warned others not to visit the country. |
| "I would say to people who have ever considered taking their kids or going themselves to Pakistan, I would say, 'no, never ever think about it because it can happen to anyone'," he said. | "I would say to people who have ever considered taking their kids or going themselves to Pakistan, I would say, 'no, never ever think about it because it can happen to anyone'," he said. |