KARACHI: The body of Syed Areeb Ahmed, one of the nine Pakistanis martyred on March 15 in the terrorist attacks on mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, was brought to the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi on Monday. Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, Sindh Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani and Mayor Karachi Wasim Akhtar received the body at the the airport. Later, Areeb’s father and a cousin took it to Areeb’s house in Federal B Area under tight security. Emotional scenes were witnessed as the body arrived and was received at the airport.
Areeb was one of the courageous persons who confronted the terrorist as he opened fire inside one of themosques. He embraced martyrdom trying to save the lives of others’.
Speaking on the occasion, the governor lauded the New Zealand prime minister and her government for expressing solidarity with the Muslim community. Areeb has given a message to the world that Islam is a peace loving religion and is against any kind of terrorism, Ismail remarked.
Sindh Local Government Saeed Ghani declared Areeb as a very brave person who sacrificed his life. The local government minister said the provincial government would extend all possible support to the family. The mayor termed the Christchurch carnage a tragic incident and showered praise on the New Zealand’s prime minister. Akhtar also called for imposing a ban on firearms in Pakistan to avert such incidents. It is the need of the hour that world is free of weapons, he said.
The funeral prayers for Areeb were offered at the Sangam Ground after which he was laid to rest at the Sakhi Hassan Graveyard. The prayers were attended by hundreds of mourners.
The funeral prayers were also attended by members of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s Rabita Committee, Dr Farooq Sattar and PML-N. Speaking after the funeral, former Sindh governor Mohammad Zubair suggested that a university be named after Areeb.