The brother of a Bradford man believed to be held captive in Karachi says the Pakistani city is a hotbed of kidnappers.

Speaking exclusively to the Telegraph & Argus, Amir Aziz said his family was praying every day for the safe return of Salman Sabir.

Mr Sabir, 29, whose fiancee lives in Bradford, vanished in Karachi 12 days ago.

Mr Aziz, 36, of Heaton, Bradford, is staying in the Pakistani capital until his brother is found. "I have been to the police station so many times and they say they are doing their best to find him but we are disappointed by the lack of progress.

"I think he has been kidnapped. He is a well-respected businessman and that has made him a target. I do not think the police are doing all they can to find him. It is 12 days now and the inquiry seems to be moving very slowly. We are all feeling disheartened.

"Karachi is a dangerous place. These kidnappings are very frequent. Last week four or five people were abducted. No one is safe here now. I hope he is OK. We are all praying for his safe return."

Mr Aziz, the father of two children, runs Aziz Fashions in Lilycroft Road, Heaton, with his wife Sheena.

Mr Sabir, a clothing importer, has bought a house in Bradford and plans to live in the city after his marriage. His fiancee, Noreen Akhtar, 27, of Aygill Avenue, Heaton, spoke to him by phone the day before he disappeared.

Sharfuddin Memon, of the Citizen-Police Liaison Committee in Karachi, who is leading the investigation, is not certain Mr Sabir has been kidnapped. He said: "I am working on the case and meeting the family every day.

"So far no call has come through and we are not sure it is a kidnap for ransom."

Mr Memom said kidnapping had been a problem in Karachi in the past decade but he believed it had become less frequent.

Mrs Aziz said: "The family are desperately worried. He has just disappeared into thin air. There is no word from his captors and his phone is dead."

Zahid Iqbal, prospective parliamentary candidate for the Conservatives in the Bradford West constituency, has written to the Pakistani High Commissioner in London, Dr Maleeha Lodhi, asking her to intervene.

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