A British man of Pakistani origin has been shot dead after arriving in Pakistan to testify against those suspected of kidnapping him last year.

Malik Muhammad Iqbal, 55, was killed on Friday by masked men in the city of Rawalpindi near Islamabad, police said.

Authorities are investigating a potential link to Mr Iqbal's 20-day kidnapping ordeal, which ended in him paying a ransom.

Police officer Mohammad Usman said that two women held in connection with the abduction had their bail pleas rejected the same day he was killed.

Mr Iqbal's nephew, Mohammad Ashfaq, said his uncle travelled from Bradford to testify despite being threatened.

Mr Ashfaq said his uncle's body will be returned to Britain.

Kidnapping for ransom is an increasingly common crime in Pakistan.

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