ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani has asked the government to brief the house on the Mina tragedy in which at least 40 Pakistani pilgrims lost their lives, when the Senate begins its new session on Oct 5.

“In view of the state of anxiety among families whose loved ones are performing Haj this year and they haven’t heard from them, Chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabbani has asked the government ministers to clear the air,” says an official handout issued by the Senate Secretariat here on Monday.

Also read: Death toll of Pakistani pilgrims in Mina rises to 40

“The unfortunate tragedy at Mina has become a source of concern and anxiety for the affected families in Pakistan,” Mr Rabbani said in separate letters sent to Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Mohammad Yousuf.

“The Senate will be in session on Monday (Oct 5) at 3pm and it will be appreciated if a comprehensive statement on the said situation is made….”, reads the letter.

Interestingly, Mr Rabbani has written the letters at a time when both Mr Aziz and Mr Yousuf are away from the country.

Mr Aziz is accompanying PM Sharif during his visit to the US to attend the United Nations General Assembly session and the religious affairs minister is currently supervising the relief and rescue operation in Saudi Arabia.

The government has confirmed that 40 Pakistani pilgrims have lost their lives and 35 others suffered injuries in the Mina stampede whereas 63 Pakistanis are missing.

Published in Dawn, September 29th , 2015

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