Malik Iqbal murdered as he prepares to give evidence in Pakistan

Malik Iqbal, a Pakistani-born British man who was preparing to testify against his kidnappers, was murdered in Pakistan on Friday.

Iqbal, 55, was killed by three masked men who found him at a house in Rawalpindi, said the BBC. He had traveled to Pakistan from Bradford to testify against a gang which was accused of kidnapping him last year.

Riaz Ahmed, a former Bradford city councilor and Iqbal's friend, said he was "a determined and brave man" and asked why the Pakistani authorities had not provided better security for him, according to the Guardian.

"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," Ahmed said.

Iqbal was kidnapped last year and held for almost a month, the Press Association reported. He was freed after his family paid a £15,000 ($24,200) ransom.

He was reportedly held for 20 days, chained to a bed and only given tea and biscuits.

Iqbal had returned to Pakistan in August to give evidence at the trial.

A spokeswoman for Pakistan's Foreign Office said, "We are aware of the death of a British national and are providing consular assistance," according to the BBC.

Iqbal is survived by a wife and four young daughters, the Press Association said.