ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Saturday confirmed the death of six Pakistanis in Christchurch mosque shootings and said three others were still unaccounted for as New Zealand authorities continued with the identification of victims.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad, announces with profound sorrow and grief that the following (six) Pakistanis have embraced ‘Shahadat’ in the terrorist attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, on 15 March 2019,” the FO said in a statement.

The six victims have been identified as Sohail Shahid; Syed Jahandad Ali (Lahore); Syed Areeb Ahmed (Karachi); Mahboob Haroon (Islamabad); Naeem Rashid and Talha Naeem (Abbottabad).

Three others unaccounted for; crisis cell set up to help four families in shifting remains to Pakistan for burial

At least three more Pakistanis were still unaccounted for when this report was filed on Saturday evening. “The latest information about other three missing Pakistanis will be shared once their identity is confirmed by the local authorities,” the FO said.

At least 49 people of various nationalities were killed and around 48 were seriously wounded during Friday prayers in terror attacks by an Islamophobe on Al Noor mosque in Christchurch and another mosque in Linwood neighbourhood of New Zealand.

Most of the victims were migrants or refugees from countries such as Pakistan, Malay­sia, Indonesia, Turkey, Afghanistan, Somalia and India, according to media reports.

The prime suspect, Brenton Harrison Tarrant, who was arrested shortly after the Friday shootings, was indicted by a district court for murder on Saturday while a dozen operating theatres worked through the night on the more than 40 people wounded, according to hospital authorities. Thirty-six people were still being treated on Saturday, 11 of whom remained in intensive care. One victim died at the hospital.

Among the six Pakistani victims, the bodies of four would be repatriated to the country, as the heirs of two other victims Naeem Rashid and Talha Naeem decided to bury them in Christchurch.

Wearing a black headscarf, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern hugged Muslim community members promising them that she would ensure religious freedom in the country and make gun laws stricter. “I convey the message of love and support on behalf of New Zealand to all of you,” PM Ardern said.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi directed the FO to extend all possible help and assistance to the families of “the deceased and missing” Pakistanis in New Zealand terrorist incident.

“Mission is working with families of other four victims for possible transport of dead bodies to Pakistan,” said FO spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal.

Tehmina talks to New Zealand envoy

Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua, meanwhile, spoke to New Zealand’s envoy in Tehran Ambassador Hamish McMaster, who is also accredited to Pakistan, to convey the government’s condolences on the tragic loss of life in the attacks. In her phone conversation, she requested the New Zealand government to provide all possible assistance to the families of the affected Pakistanis.

The FO set up crisis management cells in Islamabad and the High Commission of Pak­istan in Wellington to assist the families with the repatriation procedures including visas of the family members requiring to travel and transportation of the bodies to Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, March 17th, 2019