Islamabad (Staff Report/Agencies): Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced to honour Pakistani origin Mian Naeem Rasheed, who was martyred in Friday's terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, with a national award.
“We stand ready to extend all our support to the families of Pakistani victims of the terrorist attack in Christchurch,”.PM Imran said in a tweet. “Pakistan is proud of Mian Naeem Rashid who was martyred trying to tackle the White Supremacist terrorist & his courage will be recognized with a national award,” he added.
Rashid, a resident of Jinnahabad in Abbottabad and a professor in New Zealand, was present at the Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch when a terrorist opened fire at the worshippers. He sacrificed his life trying to stop the shooter.
His son, 22-year-old Talha Naeem, a civil engineering graduate, was among those who lost their lives in the shooting.
Pakistan foreign Office on Sunday confirmed that the death toll of Pakistani nationals martyred in Friday's terrorist attack
Rashid, who was injured in his bid to overpower the attacker, passed away on Saturday after succumbing to his injuries.
A 28-year-old right-wing extremist Brenton Tarrant attacked two mosques in Christchurch. 41 people lost their lives at the Al Noor Mosque, while seven more died at a mosque in the suburb of Linwood.