A man who epitomised courage (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

A man who epitomised courage

8:43am Monday 1st October 2012 in Our View By Telegraph & Argus

The death of a father of four determined to give evidence against those who kidnapped him in Pakistan is a tragic waste of life.

But the actions of Malik Iqbal stand as a true example of bravery, and they should be held up as epitomising courage, duty and responsibility to everyone.

After his horrific kidnapping ordeal last year, when he was shackled to a bed for 19 days in the Rawalpindi area of Pakistan, no one would have thought any less of Mr Iqbal if he refused to return.

During his captivity, he was blindfolded, beaten up, had a gun held to his head, subjected to death threats and had food withheld.

He was finally freed when his family paid a £15,000 ransom.

Now, though, his determination to see those responsible for his torment brought to justice has led to his death at the hands of gunmen.

How many of us would have been able to leave our family and friends behind and travel to such a dangerous region in the name of justice?

It may be little consolation for his family at the moment, but his actions should stand as a beacon to the importance of the rule of law transcending the rule of the gun.

They should shame anyone who has ever refused to stand up and be counted, to do the right thing, because it might cause them some level of discomfort or inconvenience, or because it might cause a confrontation.

Mr Malik must have known he was placing himself in some danger by returning to Rawalpindi, but he went anyway.

He was a true example of a hero, and should be remembered as such.