Nine Pakistanis killed in New Zealand mosque shooting: FO

Islamabad: Foreign Office on Sunday confirmed that nine Pakistani nationals were killed in a shooting on two mosques in New Zealand on Friday.

Spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal updated the death toll a day after putting it at six.

On Saturday the Foreign Office said: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad announces with profound sorrow and grief that the following Pakistanis have embraced ‘Shahadat’ in the terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, on 15 March 2019,”.

It said those killed in New Zealand have been identified as Mr. Sohail Shahid ,Syed Jahandad Ali, Syed Areeb Ahmed (Karachi) , Mr. Mahboob Haroon (Islamabad), Mr. Naeem Rashid (Abbotabad) and Talha Naeem (Abbotabad).

Names of Zeeshan Raza, his father Ghulam Hussain and mother Karim Bibi were added to the list of those killed in New Zealand shooting on Sunday.

The Foreign Office said the latest information about other three missing Pakistanis will be shared once their identity is confirmed by authorities in New Zealand.

“The Ministry expresses its deepest condolences and sympathies with the families of the victims of this atrocious terrorist attack,” the statement said.

It said the Crisis Management Cell at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad and the High Commission of Pakistan in Wellington, New Zealand, are working for assistance to the families including visas (if required) and transportation of the dead bodies to Pakistan, at the earliest.

Doctor Mohammad Faisal, Foreign Office Spokesman, said Naeem Rashid and his son Talha Naeem will be buried in Christchurch.

He said Muslim and Pakistani Association in New Zealand has assisted in arrangements for funeral and burial .

“Mission is working with families of other 4 victims for possible transport of dead bodies to Pakistan.