RIYADH, Sept 14: Saudi police have rescued a 43-year-old Pakistani from his abductors. Mohammad Ashraf was kidnapped for ransom from outside his house in one of Riyadh's neighbourhoods.

Investigation started when some of Ashraf's friend informed police about the kidnapping last Friday. They told the police that Mohammad Ashraf had called them to say that he had been kidnapped and his captors were demanding 2,500 riyals.

The friends said at first they thought it was a joke but after several calls from Ashraf and conversing with his captors they realized that the kidnapping was real. Investigations helped the police locate the hideout and rescue the victim, Saudi newspapers said.