Zulfikar Bukhari thanks Australian ambassador for visa help to Christchurch attack victims families

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Overseas Pakistanis Zulfikar Bukhari on Thursday thanked Australian High Commissioner in Pakistan Margaret Adamson for assistance in arranging quick transit visa for Pakistani families to attend the funerals of their loved ones in New Zealand, ARY News reported.

The ambassador had called on Zulfikar Bukhari to discuss issues of mutual interest. The SAPM thanked the high commissioner for her role in making possible the contact of affected Pakistanis in New Zealand with their families in Pakistan.

The Australian high commissioner lauded the efforts of Zulfikar Bukhari and said that the SAPM remained in constant touch with the Australian authorities for the access of Pakistani families to their loved ones in Christchurch.

She added that the New Zealand Mosque attack was the most horrible incident of the country sadly perpetrated by an Australian citizen. She further reiterated her government’s commitment to the cause by saying that action will be taken indiscriminately.

Margaret Adamson further said that the Australian government was cooperating with the New Zealand government in an attempt to take strict measures against elements involved in spreading hatred against one particular religion.

Zulfikar Bukhari said, “We will have to defeat this kind of mindset that spreads hatred. Nobody has the right to harm people by using hate speech against a religion or race.”

He appreciated the goodwill of the honorable prime minister of New Zealand by saying that she had taken commendable steps against elements that spread hatred and had sent a message of harmony and peace to the world.

Bukhari also thanked Moin Fudda, Honorary Consul General of New Zealand to Pakistan for making arrangements for 15 family members of Pakistanis martyred in Christchurch attacks to reach Christchurch for the funerals of their loved ones.