PM Imran Telephones Jacinda Adern, Condemns Christchurch Attack

Imran Khan admired the humane handling of the situation by the New Zealand's prime minister.

Islamabad (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 21st March, 2019) Prime Minister Imran Khan has telephones New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Adern to express grief over Christchurch massacre.

According to media reports, the prime minister condemned the terrorist attack against two mosques in Christchurch.

He also admired the humane handling of the situation by the New Zealand's prime minister.

PM Imran appreciated the high level of respect shown by Jacinda for Muslims.

"She has shown the way to other leaders in the face of rising Islamophobia and global extremism," the prime minister said.

New Zealand was struck by two deadly attacks in Christchurch on March 15, with 50 people killed and another 20 seriously injured after gun assaults on mosques as Muslims worshipped.

A total of nine Pakistanis were martyred in the attack.

An Australian white supremacist gunman was charged for the killing. The gunman is known to have published a manifesto filled with anti-Muslim statements prior to committing the attack.

In an emotional address at New Zealand's parliament on Tuesday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said: "I implore you, speak the Names of those who were lost rather than the name of the man who took them. He is a terrorist. He is a criminal. He is an extremist. But he will, when I speak, be nameless."

In a special meeting of parliament on Tuesday, Ardern used the Arabic greeting "Al-Salaam Alaikum", which in English means "peace be upon you".

She encouraged New Zealanders to acknowledge the grief of the Muslim community this Friday - which is the Muslim day of worship and will mark one week since the shooting.