The family of a Bradford businessman murdered in Pakistan have hired lawyers to investigate his death because they claim police have ignored evidence.

The body of Salman Sabir, 28, who had been due to marry his fiancee in Bradford, was found in a ditch on the outskirts of Karachi two weeks ago.

A close associate, Imran Uddin, confessed to police that he had shot Mr Sabir at his factory to avoid repaying a £10,000 loan. He told them he put the body in the boot of his car and dumped it over a bridge.

He has appeared before a judge and is now in jail awaiting trial on kidnap and murder charges, which carry a death sentence in Pakistan.

But Mr Sabir's elder brother, Ubaid Mughal, 35, of Heaton, Bradford, said the family feared the suspect would be released within two or three months because the police had prepared a "loose" case.

Mr Mughal, a freelance journalist, said: "The police investigation has not been thorough. They have ignored and even destroyed evidence and are still destroying evidence."

He said police did not take DNA from blood spots at the factory or from his brother's body and had not closed or sealed off the factory.

Mr Mughal said that when Uddin appeared before a judge he admitted finding Mr Sabir's body, but denied killing him.

Sharfuddin Memon, of the Citizen-Police Liaison Committee in Karachi, who is leading the investigation, said they were looking into whether Mr Uddin had an accomplice.

He insisted the investigation had been thorough and all the evidence had been looked at. "The family have not spoken to me about the investigation. If they have any concerns they can contact me," he said.