99 Pakistani Haj pilgrims martyred in Mina stampede, Senate told

ISLAMABAD (Staff Report) - Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Muhammad Yousuf on Thursday informed Senate that at least 99 Pakistani Haj pilgrims have embraced martyrdom in Mina stampede tragedy.

According to the minister as many as seventy Pakistanis have been laid to rest in Saudi Arabia after a due process of confirmation by the authorities. another 29 Pakistanis were confirmed as dead by their families, Yousuf told senate.

He further added that 18 Pakistanis were still missing while two were being treated at a hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Chairman Senate Raza Rabbani asked the Religious Affairs Minister if the missing Pakistanis would be forgotten and what happens if the Saudi and Pakistani governments fail to locate them. At which Muhammad Yousaf said that the incident was being investigated by the Saudi government and missing Haj pilgrims were also being traced.

Saudi Arabia does not allow interference in Haj related matters, he said.