Pakistan’s shocking terror toll
There are only 350 Pakistani nationals living in Christchurch but their death toll after Friday’s terror attack is higher than any other nationality. Blair Ensor reports.
Mechanical engineer Zeeshan Raza had been working in Christchurch less than three months when he was shot dead by a terrorist.
His parents, Ghulam Hussain and Karam Bibi, who were visiting from Pakistan, were also gunned down at the Linwood Masjid on Friday.
The sole surviving member of the family, Raza’s young sister, is grieving from afar, and has decided not to bring their bodies home. They will be buried in Christchurch.
Raza and his parents are among nine Pakistani nationals killed in the attack.
The others were all fatally injured in the attack on Masjid Al Noor in Deans Ave.
A Pakistani man remains in a critical condition.
Fifty people have been confirmed dead and Pakistan’s death toll is higher than any other country.
Pakistan high commissioner to New Zealand Dr Abdul Malik says he’s had three sleepless nights since the terror attack.
He’s been liaising with the victims’ families and officials back home.
Pakistan is no stranger to terror attacks but people are struggling to come to grips with what has happened in New Zealand, a country regarded as one of the safest in the world, Malik says.
‘‘It’s quite a big shock for everybody. I feel really sad about this whole incident. It should not have taken place.’’
The Pakistani community in Christchurch is small – about 350 – when compared with some of the other nations affected.
Malik says everyone is rallying to help those grieving.
Of the nine victims, five will be buried in Christchurch and three will be returned to Pakistan. It’s unclear what will happen with the remaining victim.
Malik says some of the families are frustrated at the time it has taken for bodies to be returned.
He hopes that the process will have been completed by last night. It is unclear when the burials will happen.
‘‘This whole process has taken a heavy toll on everybody. We never expected this would take so long.’’
Malik says he ‘‘deeply appreciates’’ the support of people in New Zealand, particularly that of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern whose handling of the tragedy has been ‘‘amazing’’.
PAKISTAN’S GRIM TOLL Syed Jahandad Ali, 34
Ali had worked as a senior dynamics developer at software company Intergen since 2012. His wife, Amna, and their children are mourning his death.
Mian Naeem Rashid, aged in his 40s
Rashid tried to wrest the gun from the shooter at the Masjid Al Noor. He is believed to have died in Christchurch Hospital. His son, Talha Naeem, 21, was also killed. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has given Rashid a posthumous bravery award.
Sohail Shahid
Talha Naeem, 21
Naeem was shot at the Masjid Al Noor. His father, Naeem, tried to wrest the gun from the shooter.
Haroon Mahmood, 40 Mahmood worked in banking in Pakistan and tutored in economics and statistics at Lincoln University from 2014-16. He also lectured in business at Linguis International in Christchurch from 2014 until April 2017, and joined Canterbury College in May 2017.
Dr Haroon Mahmood is survived by his wife and two children, aged 13 and 11.
Syed Areeb Ahmed, 26
Ahmed had recently moved to Christchurch to work as a chartered accountant on secondment at PricewaterhouseCooper. He was an only son. One of his uncles, Muhammad Muzaffar Khan, described him as deeply religious, praying five times a day.
Zeeshan Raza, 38
Raza, a mechanical engineer, moved to New Zealand last year. He lived in Auckland before moving to Christchurch for work in December. Raza and his parents, Ghulam Hussain and Karam Bibi, were killed at the Linwood Masjid. Raza is survived by his younger sister who lives in Karachi.
Ghulam Hussain, in his 60s He is the father of Zeeshan Raza and husband of Karam Bibi. Hussain and Bibi travelled to New Zealand to visit their son in February. The trio were killed at the Linwood Masjid on Friday. Hussain is survived by his daughter.
Karam Bibi, in her 60s
Bibi is the mother of Zeeshan Raza and the wife of Ghulam Hussain. Bibi and Hussain travelled to New Zealand to visit their son in February. Bibi is survived by her daughter.