National flag to fly half mast in memory of New Zealand martyrs

The national flag across the country will fly at half-mast today (Monday) in reverence of the martyred and injured in the New Zealand mosque attacks.

According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Interior, the decision has been taken to express solidarity with the bereaved families in last week's terrorist attack at two mosques in Christchurch.

The government and people of Pakistan stand united and extend solidarity to the grieved families, the notification read.

Read more: Pakistan flag to remain half-mast Monday in memory of Christchurch martyrs

Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said he had spoken to New Zealand foreign minister on phone on length, after 50 people, including nine Pakistanis, were shot dead by a 28-year-old right-wing extremist who attacked two mosques in Christchurch: the Al Noor Mosque, and another mosque in the suburb of Linwood.

The process of handing over bodies of victims to their respective families would begin today, Qureshi had quoted the New Zealand foreign minister as saying. The New Zealand foreign minister said the identification of bodies has been completed.