As many as six Pakistanis lost their lives while three are still missing in the terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, on March 15, 2019, Foreign Office confirmed Saturday. "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 March 15, 2019."
The identities of those confirmed as dead included Sohail Shahid, Syed Jahandad Ali (Lahore), Syed Areeb Ahmed (Karachi), Mahboob Haroon (Islamabad), and Naeem Rashid along with his son Talha Naeem from Abbottabad.
According to Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal, Naeem Rashid and his son will be buried in Christchurch and arrangements for the burial have already been made, adding that Muslim and Pakistani Association in the city has assisted in arrangements.
He said that Pakistan's Mission in New Zealand is working with families of other four victims for possible transport of dead bodies back to Pakistan. Those who are still missing included Zeeshan Raza, his father and mother [names not given]. The spokesperson said that Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has directed that all possible help and assistance will be extended to the families of the deceased and missing Pakistanis in New Zealand terrorist incident.
He said that the latest information about three missing Pakistanis will be shared once their identity is confirmed by the local authorities. "The ministry expresses its deepest condolences and sympathies with the families of the victims of this atrocious terrorist attack," he added.
In the aftermath of terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, he said that a Crisis Management Cell has been established at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad.
He said that 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.
To address the developing situation, update on the well being of and latest information of Pakistani citizens living in New Zealand, the Foreign Office also issued the names of the following officers who will remain available at the Crisis Management Cell (24/7) for timely dissemination of information and assistance. These officers include: Director General (EAP) Samina Mehtab, contact number +92518293805; Director (SEAP) Irfanullah Khan, contact numbers +923120010000 and +92 51 9202623; Assistant Director (SEAP-I) Sarfaraz Ahmad Khan, contact numbers +92 3459185517 and +92519211659; and Assistant Director (SEAP-I) Muhammad Ramzan, contact numbers +923006051847 and +92519224415.
In addition to the Crisis Management Cell in the Ministry, Pakistan's High Commissioner and Deputy High Commissioner in New Zealand will also be available for information and assistance, round the clock. The officers include: High Commissioner Dr Abdul Malik, contact numbers, +6427777455 and +6444790026-27; and Deputy High Commissioner Syed Moazzam H Shah, contact numbers, +6421779495 and +6444790075. Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua telephonically spoke to Ambassador Hamish McMaster, New Zealand's Tehran-based ambassador, who is also accredited to Pakistan.
Janjua conveyed condolences on tragic loss of life in the terrorist attack in Christchurch and requested for facilitation in assisting families of affected Pakistanis.
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