New Zealand mosque attack: Foreign ministry calls Qureshi to condole deaths of 9 Pak citizens

New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters on Sunday called his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi and expressed his deepest condolence over the death of nine Pakistani nationals killed in a terror attack on two Christchurch mosques, Foreign Office said. 

At least 50 worshippers were killed on Friday in attacks on the Al Noor Mosque in central Christchurch and the Linwood Mosque in the city's outer suburb on Friday, in what appeared to be the worst attack on Muslims in a western country. Among the dead, there were nine Pakistani nationals.

Speaking to Qureshi over telephone, Peters, who is also Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand, conveyed his condolences and sympathies with the bereaved families of the innocent victims.

"Peters conveyed his condolences and sympathies with the bereaved families of the innocent victims," Pakistan Foreign Office said.

Condemning the attack, Qureshi termed it a "heinous" and "cowardly" act and expressed deep sorrow on behalf of the Government and people of Pakistan.

He said that the menace of terrorism had reached shores of a peaceful and beautiful country like New Zealand, the FO said.

"The mindless killing spree carried out by the terrorists once again proved that terrorism knows no religion or boundaries," said Qureshi, adding Pakistan itself was a victim of terrorism and has lost more than 70,000 innocent lives.

"This affirms Pakistan's narrative that terrorism is an international phenomenon, having no religion and should not be associated with any religion," he said.

The Foreign Minister assured Pakistan's support to the government and people of New Zealand.

Qureshi also requested his New Zealand counterpart for full assistance in the transportation of bodies to Pakistan, the FO said.