Christchurch attack victims' family departs for New Zealand

LAHORE: Family members of Naeem Rashid, who died in the Christchurch attack along with his 21-year-old son Talha Naeem, departed for New Zealand to attend their last rites early on Tuesday morning, ARY News reported.

Rashid’s mother and brother departed from the Allama Iqbal Intentional Airport via a private airline.

Australian right-wing extremist Brenton Tarrant opened fire at dozens of Muslims at two Christchurch mosques during the Friday prayers on March 15. Those martyred at Al Noor and Linwood mosques belonged to Pakistan, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Bangladesh, Turkey, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Naeem Rashid and his son Dr Talha Naeem were present at the Al Noor Mosque when the attacker barged into the mosque and started, everyone coming in his way, spraying with bullets.

Rashid was seen on the gunman’s video confronting the shooter before he was killed.

Praising his courage and bravery, Prime Minister Imran Khan had earlier on Sunday announced a civil award for him.

“Pakistan is proud of Mian Naeem Rashid who was martyred trying to tackle the white supremacist terrorist & his courage will be recognised with a national award,”` he tweeted.