ISLAMABAD – Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi says the mother of Shaheed Naeem Rashid has been issued a visa so that she can attend last rituals of her son and grandson in New Zealand.
In a statement on Sunday, the minister said that the government is facilitating relatives of Pakistani citizens, martyred in the New Zealand terrorist attack, in getting visa to travel to Christchurch to attend funerals of their loved ones.
Qureshi said that the mother of Naeem Rashid had expressed her desire to attend last rituals of her son and the government fully cooperated in that regard. “We are in contact with family members of other martyrs and all possible facilitates will be provided to them,” he added.
In a press conference at her residence in Abbottabad on Saturday, the old woman had said that her daughter-in-law was alone in New Zealand and needed support and help of family in these moments.
The FM further said a crisis management cell has been established at the Foreign Office regarding the New Zealand incident so that any difficulties to the deceased families can be addressed at the earliest.
https://twitter.com/SMQureshiPTI/status/1107013312657719301
Naeem Rashid, 50, originally from the Pakistani city of Abbottabad, was in the Deans Ave mosque with his 21-year-old son, Talha Naeem, for Friday prayers. As Rashid tried to overpower the gunman – 28-year-old Australian Brenton Tarrant – during a mass shooting at Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch on Friday afternoon, aimed at protecting fellow worshippers, he got seriously wounded.
In the horrific video, documented live by the white extremist, Rashid was seen rushing to the gunman without a weapon in a bid to avert the attacker with just his bare hands even while his own son Talha got shot at the mosque.
The hero was left badly wounded after he launched himself at the shooter in a bid to protect fellow worshippers. He was rushed to hospital following the attack, but died after few hours.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/pakistan-mourns-father-son-duo-killed-in-new-zealand-mosque-shooting/
The man had worked with a private bank before moving to Christchurch, where he worked as a teacher. Rashid recently worked for the Kiwi Institute of Training and Education.
Up till now, nine Pakistanis-origin individuals have been confirmed dead in the horrific attack that sent shock waves across the world. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister has assured support to the families of the victims and the Foreign Office has set up a helpline for the bereaved family members to visit New Zealand.
https://twitter.com/DrMFaisal/status/1106902187697946626
As many as 50 people embraced martyrdom in the terrorist attack at two mosques in central Christchurch on Friday.
The body of the 50th victim was discovered at the Al Noor mosque, where most victims were killed, when officials were removing the victims’ bodies on Saturday, New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush said, told reporters on Sunday.
The victims’ names were not made public. While a preliminary list of the victims has been shared with families, Bush said their bodies have not yet been released.
The number of wounded also increased to 50, he said. Of those, 34 remain hospitalized in the Christchurch Hospital and 12 are in critical condition, Greg Robertson, the hospital’s chief of surgery, said.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/world/who-is-brenton-tarrant-the-australian-shooter-behind-the-new-zealand-terror-attack/
Two days after the shootings, Brenton Harris Tarrant, 28, appears to be the only person in custody that has been linked to the attack. Three other people who were initially detained were not involved in the attacks, Bush said, but authorities are not ruling out the possibility of other suspects.
The suspect had sent an 87-page manifesto to New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern minutes before the attack began.
The document, also posted on social media before the shooting, was filled with anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim screeds. Authorities have declined to discuss potential motives for the attack.
Tarrant, who is facing one murder charge, made a hand gesture associated with white supremacists when he appeared in court Saturday.
He was remanded in custody and will reappear in court April 5.
