NEIGHBOURS and friends remembered the Yousafs as a friendly family who always had a kind word and would be sadly missed.

Husband and wife Mohammed and Parviaz and their 21-year-old daughter Tania lived in Howgill Close in Nelson.

They were shot by gunmen in Pakistan yesterday.

* For the latest on the family shot dead in Pakistan, click here.

North West MEP Sajjad Karim, who was a Pendle borough councillor for eight years, said he knew the family.

He said: "I was really very shocked and saddened to hear the news.

"Both Mr Yousaf and his wife were real community members.

“They were always there and they were very supportive.

"I was very sorry to hear that they have met such a violent death.

“I have made a few phone calls to make sure the authorities over there investigate the incident in as full a way as possible.”

Tania's manager Wendy Smith at Liberata in Nelson said: “Tania was a hard working and conscientious member of the team who was always happy and one of the nicest people we have ever met.

"She had a lovely sense of humour and was always a team player.

“We are extremely shocked by this and our deepest sympathies go out to the family.

"She will be very sadly missed.”

Neighbours remembered the Yousafs as a friendly family who always had a kind word for those living nearby.

Megan Wallwork said: ”They always use to say hello. It is awful news.

"They were very nice people who have lived here for a few years and have always made an effort.

"They were friendly with everyone on the street.”

Bill Hindman, who lives nearby, said: ”They were a lovely family who have lived here for about 10 years.

“Mrs Yousaf did not speak much English but she always made the effort to ask how everyone was and used to knock on our door all the time.”

Neighbour Ann Pullen added: ”It is shocking news.

"They were the friendliest people who always said hello when you saw then on the street.”

Coun Eileen Ansar, who represents Cloverhill ward, said "It’s absolutely horrendous and unbelievable. We’re still in shock.

"They had no enemies at all because they were really nice people. You could not meet nicer folk."

Coun Mohammed Iqbal, Pendle’s Labour leader, said: “I knew him very well and he was very well-respected and well-liked in the community.

"This is a real tragedy for the family. I found out this morning and I was in shock.”

A memorial group has been set up on Facebook by friends of murdered Tania Yousaf.

Around three hundred people have joined the Tania Yousaf RIP group.

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