ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal on Friday said that eight Pakistanis, who were martyred in terror attack at mosques in New Zealand, have been buried in a local graveyard in Christchurch, ARY News reported.
Funeral prayers were also offered in Christchurch city which was attended by more than 5,000 people, of which there were about 1500 Muslims, came from all over New Zealand.
Today, 8 Pakistani Shaheed have been buried in a local graveyard in Christchurch according to Islamic rituals. More than 20 family members, who flew from Pakistan, were able to join. Travel of these family members was facilitated by Foreign office and the NZ govt. @MFATgovtNZ 1/3
— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@DrMFaisal) March 22, 2019
Dr Faisal said in the Twitter message that the funeral prayers were also joined by more than 20 family members of the martyrs who flew from Pakistan while their travel arrangements were facilitated by the Foreign Office (FO) and New Zealand government.
The funeral was attended by more than 5000 people, of which there were about 1500 Muslims, who came from all over NZ. One remaining Shaheed Syed Areeb Ahmed would be repatriated to Pakistan in next few days. His family is being kept informed. 2/3 @MFATgovtNZ
— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@DrMFaisal) March 22, 2019
The body of Syed Areeb Ahmed would be repatriated to Pakistan in next few days and the martyr’s family was being kept informed, the spokesperson said.
Our High Commissioner and the High Commission staff remains in Christchurch to continue assistance to the bereaved families. 3/3 #NewZealandTerroristAttack #pakistanagainstterrorism
— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@DrMFaisal) March 22, 2019
Read More: Syrian refugee father and son buried as New Zealand funerals begin
The Pakistani High Commissioner and diplomatic staff members remained in Christchurch for providing assistance to the bereaved families.
On March 20, Pakistani High Commissioner to New Zealand, Dr Abdul Malik, has confirmed that eight martyrs who belong to Pakistan will be buried in New Zealand while the body of one will be repatriated to the home.
Dr Abdul Malik said in his latest statement that families of eight martyrs, who lost their lives in horrible Christchurch mosques’ attack, have decided to bury their beloved ones in New Zealand.
Read More: ‘Azaan’ broadcast across NZ to express solidarity with Christchurch attack victims
Malik added that one body of a Pakistani martyr, Syed Areeb Ahmed, will be sent back to Karachi over the request of his relatives.
“Arrival of the body in Pakistan [from New Zealand] will take minimum 10 days,” the high commission said.
“New Zealand has asked to bear all expenses of body’s transfer to Pakistan. The Government of Pakistan had also offered to pay overall expenses.”
A Syrian refugee and his son had been buried in New Zealand in the first funerals of those killed in the twin mosque massacre as Kiwis braced for days of emotional farewells following the mass slayings.
Hundreds of mostly Muslim mourners gathered at morning at a cemetery not far from Linwood Mosque, the second of the two places of worship targeted.
There they prayed and laid to rest Khalid Mustafa and his 15-year-old son Hamza, their names broadcast over a loudspeaker.
The family arrived last year as refugees from the Syrian maelstrom only to find tragedy in a land where they had sought sanctuary.
