99 Pakistanis martyred in Mina tragedy

ISLAMABAD: At least 99 Pakistanis were martyred in the Mina tragedy, Religious Affairs Minister Muhammad Yousaf informed the Senate on Tuesday.

According to the minister Saudi officials had confirmed the passing of 70 Pakistani Hajjis and they had been laid to rest. According to the minister 29 martyred Pakistanis had been identified by their families and they would be laid to rest after confirmation from Saudi officials.

He added that 18 Pakistanis were missing while two were being treated at a hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Chairman Senate Raza Rabbani asked the Religious Affairs Minister if the missing Pakistanis would be forgotten if the Saudi and Pakistani governments failed to locate them, to which Muhammad Yousaf replied that the incident was being investigated by the Saudi government which does not allow interference in Hajj related matters.