Toll of Pakistani pilgrims martyred in Mina stampede has reached 57 with 100 still missing, Prime Minister's Focal Person Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said here Friday. The figure of missing Pakistani Hujjaj had mounted after the number of overseas Pakistanis working in Saudi Arabia and living in other countries were added to the list, he told media at a news conference.
Giving the break-up, he said, among the missing Pakistani pilgrims 49 were those who went to perform the religious obligation under the Hajj visa; 10 were overseas Pakistanis working in Saudi Arabia and 41 from other countries. Dr Tariq said 26 martyred Pakistanis had been buried in Saudi Arabia as heirs of 31 others were still being searched. Moreover, heirs of 10 martyred had so far desired to bring back the bodies to Pakistan.
He said 12 injured Pakistani pilgrims were admitted to different hospitals in Makkah and Jeddah, who are being looked after by a team of Pakistani doctors, whereas 37 others had been discharged after the treatment. "Pictures of all martyred Pakistani pilgrims are being brought to Pakistan for identification and to trace their heirs," he added. The Khadim-e-Harmain Sharifain, Dr Tariq said, had appointed two Focal Persons each in Jeddah and Makkah to collaborate with Pakistani authorities and help in tracing out missing Pakistanis.
Khadim-e-Harmain Sharifain has also expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in Mina tragedy with Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Dr Tariq Fazal said. He said Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Yusuf held a meeting with Saudi counterpart, who assured all out support to locate missing Pakistanis. Dr Tariq said the Prime Minister was aware of all developments taking place with regard to Pakistanis martyred, injured and went missing in the tragedy, and the PM Office staff was in contact with their heirs.