Minister for Religious and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf on Thursday confirmed the death of six Pakistani pilgrims in Mina, outside Makkah, due to stampede. Talking to private TV channel, the minister, sharing the information, said two women hailing from Karachi, identified as Hifsa and Nasreen have martyred. Their relatives have been informed about the deaths, he added.
The Minister said officials of Al-Noor Hospital had also confirmed the deaths of another four Pakistani pilgrims who have not yet been identified. Sardar Yousaf said that three Pakistani pilgrims including Attique, his spouse and Younas Mirza were injured in the incident. However, he said, that the arrangements made by Saudi government for Hajj were remarkable but the incident took place due to stampede.
Meanwhile, Pakistani Hajj Mission in Mina has set up an emergency helpline number 00966125277537 to get information about Pakistani pilgrims. Pakistan's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Manzoorul Haq said information was being gathered from Makkah hospitals about Pakistani pilgrims, if any.