Mina stampede: Govt ready to bring back pilgrims' bodies, says minister

Religious affairs minister says they have received at least three requests from the bereaved families in this regard

ISLAMABAD: Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said on Thursday the government was ready to bring back the bodies of Pakistani pilgrims who lost their lives in the Mina stampede if requested.

Addressing a press conference after returning from Saudi Arabia, the minister, flanked by Prime Minister’s focal person on Mina incident Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhary, said the government had so far received three requests from the families of the pilgrims in this regard.

“Majority of the families have agreed upon burying the bodies of their dear ones in Saudi Arabia,” Yousaf said.

Read: 45 Pakistani pilgrims still missing as death toll hits 89

Regarding the death toll, the minister said so far deaths of 89 Pakistani pilgrims were confirmed, out of which 48 were verified by the Saudi government and 41 by their relatives.

As many as 43 pilgrims are also missing of whom five went for Hajj on government’s quota, 12 through private tour operators, 10 as Iqama (identification card) holders, whereas the rest were reported by their relatives, he added.

Read: Mina stampede: Plea on Hajj tragedy ‘bid to strain Riyadh ties’

“We are in close coordination with the Saudi authorities," said Yousaf, adding that "identification of the bodies is one of the biggest challenges they are still facing."

The minister added that Pakistan was not the only country struggling to find the whereabouts of its citizens; Egypt and Bangladesh, among others were also making efforts towards this end.

Meanwhile, according to updated figures on the Ministry of Religious Affairs website, the death toll of Pakistani pilgrims has reached 93, while 38 are still missing.