THE first husband of a Bradford woman suspected to be the victim of an honour killing has admitted strangling her to death, according to sources in Pakistan and MP Naz Shah. 

Samia Shahid, 28, a beautician, died last month in Northern Punjab after she returned to the country to visit her family following reports that her father was seriously ill.

A post-mortem examination carried out after her body was exhumed later found she had been strangled.

Her first husband, Mohammad Shakeel, and her father, Choudary Shahid, appeared in court on Saturday after being charged in connection with her death. 

According to Geo News in Pakistan, Mr Shakeel said in a recorded police interview: “I strangled Samia to death using a dupatta,” a long scarf. 

Ms Shah, Labour MP for Bradford West, said this morning: "I have had it confirmed from police in Pakistan that Mohammad Shakeel has confessed, but the key thing is, that isn't worth anything until he confesses in court. 

"There is nothing formal at the moment, it depends what is said in court."

Ms Shah said she thought the pair were due back in court tomorrow having been remanded in custody for four days over the weekend. 

Samia, of Oak Lane, Manningham, had been living in Dubai with her second husband Syed Mukhtar Kazam whom she married in Leeds in 2014.

He claims she was killed by her family because they were against their marriage.

Mr Kazam, who works in Dubai, travelled to Pakistan following his wife's death and has been offered round-the-clock police guard due to fears for his own safety.

Ms Shah said she had also received death threats due to her involvement in the case. 

West Yorkshire Police officers have been carrying out inquiries in connection with the investigation and are liaising with police in Pakistan.

Samia's family members have denied being involved in her death and have alleged to police in West Yorkshire that the marriage between Samia and Mr Kazam was bigamous.