© Provided by AFP A relative looks at a picture on a mobile phone of Pakistani nationals Naeem Rashid and his son Talha Naeem, who were killed in the attacks to the Christchurch mosques in New Zealand A Pakistani victim of the Christchurch attack who apparently tried to tackle the gunman before being shot dead will be awarded posthumously in his home country for his courage, Prime Minister Imran Khan said Sunday.
Khan spoke as the Pakistani foreign office confirmed that nine of its citizens had been killed in the mass shootings at two mosques in the New Zealand city which claimed the lives of 50 people Friday, including many who had emigrated from around the world.
'You are safe now': moments of heroism in Christchurch massacre
As New Zealanders struggled to cope with the deadly mayhem in Christchurch, stories of heroism have emerged from the tragedy, including a worshiper who chased away the gunman armed only with a credit card machine. Fifty people were killed on Friday and dozens more injured. Brenton Tarrant, 28, has been charged with murder in relation to the killings, and police have said he will face further charges. But the police and eyewitnesses say a second attack by the gunman was partly thwarted by Abdul Aziz, 48, who was born in Afghanistan.
Video of the massacre shows one man gunned down as he approaches the shooter, while others flee.
The man is believed to be Naeem Rashid, although his face is blurred in the footage and he has yet to be formally identified.
"Pakistan is proud of Mian Naeem Rashid who was martyred trying to tackle the White Supremacist terrorist & his courage will be recognised with a national award," Khan tweeted on Sunday.
Pakistan has several awards to recognise civilian bravery, and Khan did not specify which one would be awarded to Rashid, whose son also died in the massacre.
Rashid's elder brother Khurshid Alam told AFP in the northwestern Pakistani city of Abbottabad that the award "means a lot" to his family.
"I feel very proud," he said, calling the loss of his brother and nephew a "big, big shock".
Trump response to New Zealand massacre highlights his combative history with Muslims
The president’s statements fit a pattern of tepid reactions when Muslims are the victims of an attack.
Naeem, he said, had visited the family last year, staying for two months.
"We had a lovely time. He was a man who would be like a kid with children, and like an adult with grown-ups," Alam said.
- Suspect visited Pakistan -
Pakistan's foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the award would be given on March 23, Pakistan Day.
He confirmed that nine Pakistani citizens had been killed in the attack while one was in critical condition.
At least 50 people are confirmed dead, with more than 40 people injured following attacks on two mosques in Christchurch on Friday afternoon.
(Pictured) Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern hugs a mosque-goer at the Kilbirnie Mosque on March 17, in Wellington.
Farid Ahmad (C), a survivor of the Al Noor mosque shootings whose wife Husna was killed, is greeted by a well-wisher in Christchurch, on March 17.
Governor-General, Her Excellency The Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy arrives at the Kilbirnie Mosque on March 17, in Wellington.
Protesters march during a rally for the upcoming International Day for the Elimination of Racism Discrimination, in Seoul, South Korea, on March 17.
Pope Francis delivers his message during the Angelus noon prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St.Peter's Square, at the Vatican, on March 17.
Rizwan Rashid (C), elder brother of Pakistani national Naeem Rashid, who was killed in the attacks on the Christchurch mosques in New Zealand, prays for his brother at Naeem house in Abbottabad, on March 17.
Participants in the commemoration ceremony for the terror victims of the attack in Christchurch stand on the Tempelhofer Feld and hold, among other things, a cardboard sign with the inscription "We stand with you", in Berlin, Germany, on March 17.
Relatives and neighbors look at the wedding album of Anzi Ali Bhava, who was killed in Friday's mosque attacks in New Zealand, at her parent's house in Kodungalloor town in the southern state of Kerala, India, on March 17.
'I still love you': Christchurch survivor forgives his wife's killer
A wheelchair-using worshipper who survived the slaughter at Christchurch's Al Noor mosque, but whose wife was killed, has offered an olive branch to the gunman, saying he would like to meet him and telling him "I still love you." require(["medianetNativeAdOnArticle"], function (medianetNativeAdOnArticle)
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}); Fifty people died at two mosques in the South Island city on Friday when a gunman burst in, spraying bullets at his victims while they prayed in a city now consumed by grief and sadness.
Pakistani Christians pray for the victims killed in the attacks on the Christchurch mosques in New Zealand, at a church in Quetta, on March 17.
Jakarta's government has lit pedestrian bridges in the city with the colors of the New Zealand flag to show solidarity following terrorist attacks on mosques in Christchurch on March 17, in Jakarta, Indonesia.
This picture taken on March 17 shows the Kuwait Towers as they display the flag of New Zealand in solidarity with the victims of the Christchurch mosque attacks in Kuwait City, Kuwait.
Women embrace near Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, on March 17.
Members of the Maori community sing outside Masjid Al Noor mosque, in memory of the victims of the mosque shootings, in Christchurch, on March 17.
A police officer stands guard in front of the Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, on March 17.
A woman holds her hat to her face as she pauses next to flowers laid near Al Noor mosque on March 17, in Christchurch.
A police officer places flowers at the entrance of Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, on March 17.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks to media at Parliament on March 17, in Wellington.
Flowers cover the steps of the Kilbirnie Mosque on March 17, in Wellington.
Members of the muslim community lay flowers at the memorial wall at the Botanic Gardens on March 17, in Christchurch.
New Zealand High Commissioner to Australia Dame Annette King (L) and her husband Ray Lind (R) look at flowers left outside the high commission on March 17, in Canberra, Australia.
Locals leave flowers and condolences at the Southland Muslim Association Community Centre on March 17, in Invercargill.
Members of the Muslim community head into the hospital on March 17 in Christchurch, New Zealand. 50 people are confirmed dead, with with 36 injured still in hospital following shooting attacks on two mosques in Christchurch on Friday.
Dean Lawrence Kimberly, prepares for a special church service to memorialize Friday's mosque shooting, on March 17 at a church in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel and city counselors speak to members of the Muslim community on March 17 in Christchurch, New Zealand. A 28-year-old Australian-born man, Brenton Tarrant, appeared in Christchurch District Court on Saturday charged with murder. The attack is the worst mass shooting in New Zealand's history.
Flowers laid in Hagley Park opposite the Al Noor mosque on Deans Rd March 17 in Christchurch.
Residents cry after leaving flowers in tribute to victims on March 17 in Christchurch.
A train station building is illuminated by colors of New Zealand flag in memory of the victims on March 17 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
A group of people gather and march against fascism, racism, Islamophobia on March 16 in New York.
Security forces accompany people as they gather to stage a demonstration against the twin terror attacks in New Zealand mosques, in London, United Kingdom on March 16.
Indian Muslims pray in solidarity with the dead and injured the day after the attacks, in Ahmedabad on March 16.
A vigil is held outside the State Library of Victoria on March 16, in Melbourne, Australia.
A silver fern is projected onto the sails of the Opera House in commemoration of the victims of the Christchurch massacre on March 16, in Sydney, Australia.
Mourners pay their respects at a makeshift memorial near the Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, March 16.
Crowds gather for a vigil in memory of the victims of the Christchurch mosque terror attacks, on Takapuna beach on March 16, in Auckland, New Zealand.
Canadians take part in a vigil for the victims of New Zealand mosque shootings held at Nathan Philips Square in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on March 15.
People perform funeral prayer in absentia for those who lost their lives during twin terror attacks in New Zealand mosques in Ankara, Turkey on March 16.
Chelsea Clinton watches with Imam Khalid Latif during a vigil held at NYU Kimmel Center in New York City, March 15.
Demonstrators take part in an anti-racist and anti-fascist rally against Islamophobia in Melbourne, on March 16.
Mourners pay their respects at a makeshift memorial near the Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, on March 16.
Christchurch harbored white supremacists before massacre
An expert on extremist groups says it's probably no coincidence that the accused mosque shooter had settled in a region of southern New Zealand that's been at the center of the country's white supremacist movement.
People place candles at a flower tribute area at Botanical Gardens in Christchurch, on March 16.
A sign is seen after Friday's mosque attacks outside a community center near Masjid Al Noor in Christchurch, on March 16.
Locals continue to leave messages and flowers for the victims outside the Botanic Gardens on March 16, in Christchurch.
A little girl places a flower as a tribute to victims of the mosque attacks outside the Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch on March 16.
People write on a sign at a memorial as a tribute to victims of the mosque attacks, near a police line outside Masjid Al Noor in Christchurch, on March 16.
Sheikh Alaa Elzokm shares a prayer before Bill Shorten addresses the Islamic community at the Islamic Council of Victoria on March 16, in Melbourne.
Locals lay flowers and condolences at the Huda Mosque in tribute to those killed and injured at the Al Huda Mosque on March 16, in Dunedin.
Aktar, who says her husband is missing after Friday's mosque attacks, reacts outside a community center near Masjid Al Noor in Christchurch, on March 16.
Canadians take part in a vigil for the victims of New Zealand mosque shootings held at Nathan Philips Square in Toronto, Canada, on March 15.
Locals lay flowers at the Huda Mosque in tribute to those killed and injured, on March 16 in Dunedin, New Zealand.
Christchurch shooter planned to carry out another attack, police chief says
The suspect accused of carrying out Friday's terror attack in Christchurch, New Zealand, was likely on his way to carry out a third shooting before he was stopped by authorities, New Zealand's top police official said. Fifty people were killed when a gunman opened fire inside two mosques last week. Authorities have charged Brenton Tarrant, a 28-year-old Australian man, with murder in connection with the incident. More charges are expected.
Residents pay their respects by placing flowers for the victims of the mosques attacks in Christchurch on March 16.
Friends and family of the victims gather at the support centre at the Hagley Community College on March 16, in Christchurch.
Residents pay their respects by placing flowers for the victims of the mosques attacks in Christchurch on March 16.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (C) speaks with a representative of the refugee centre during a visit to the Canterbury Refugee Centre in Christchurch on March 16.
Residents pay their respects by placing flowers for the victims of the mosques attacks in Christchurch on March 16.
Residents pay their respect at Hagley College for the victims of the mosques attacks in Christchurch on March 16.
People place flowers at a memorial as a tribute to victims of the mosque attacks, near Linwood mosque in Christchurch, on March 16.
People react at a memorial as a tribute to victims of the mosque attacks, near a police line outside Masjid Al Noor in Christchurch, on March 16.
Residents pay their respects by placing flowers for the victims of the mosques attacks in Christchurch on March 16.
People react near flowers placed at a memorial as a tribute to victims of the mosque attacks, outside Masjid Al Noor in Christchurch, on March 16.
Locals lay flowers and condolences at the Huda Mosque in tribute to those killed and injured at the Al Huda Mosque on March 16, in Dunedin.
People place flowers at a memorial as a tribute to victims of the mosque attacks, near a police line outside Masjid Al Noor in Christchurch, on March 16.
People attend a vigil held at NYU Kimmel Center to mourn for the victims of the Christchurch mosque attack in New Zealand, Manhattan, in New York, on March 15.
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Slideshow by photo services
One "is still not out of danger but he is being treated", he told reporters in Islamabad without identifying the victim.
Qureshi said families of six of the victims have decided to bury them in Christchurch, while the other three want to bring the remains to Pakistan.
"Whatever the families will decide, we will respect it and fulfil their wishes," he said, adding that flags will be flown at half-mast in Pakistan on Monday in honour of the victims.
Officials in Pakistan's picturesque northern areas also confirmed that the main suspect, 28-year-old white supremacist Brenton Tarrant, had visited the region as a tourist in October, staying for more than a week.
Syed Israr Hussain, owner of Osho Thang Hotel in Minapin Nagar, told AFP: "(Tarrant) ... stayed for two days before leaving for Khunjerab (Pass, on the border with China).
"He was a decent and quiet guy."
He said he remembered Tarrant among the many tourists who visit the region "because he was so impressed by the area, and said he had heard so many negative things about Pakistan but he found it the opposite".
Tarrant's alleged involvement in the massacre left him "surprised and shocked", he said.
Tarrant is also believed to have visited Gilgit and Skardu in the mountainous north.
Alleged gunman livestreamed the rampage on Facebook and Twitter, and posted hateful manifesto online. 
As New Zealanders struggled to cope with the deadly mayhem in Christchurch, stories of heroism have emerged from the tragedy, including a worshiper who chased away the gunman armed only with a credit card machine. Fifty people were killed on Friday and dozens more injured. Brenton Tarrant, 28, has been charged with murder in relation to the killings, and police have said he will face further charges. But the police and eyewitnesses say a second attack by the gunman was partly thwarted by Abdul Aziz, 48, who was born in Afghanistan. 
The president’s statements fit a pattern of tepid reactions when Muslims are the victims of an attack. 
A wheelchair-using worshipper who survived the slaughter at Christchurch's Al Noor mosque, but whose wife was killed, has offered an olive branch to the gunman, saying he would like to meet him and telling him "I still love you." require(["medianetNativeAdOnArticle"], function (medianetNativeAdOnArticle)
{
medianetNativeAdOnArticle.getMedianetNativeAds(true);
}); Fifty people died at two mosques in the South Island city on Friday when a gunman burst in, spraying bullets at his victims while they prayed in a city now consumed by grief and sadness. 
An expert on extremist groups says it's probably no coincidence that the accused mosque shooter had settled in a region of southern New Zealand that's been at the center of the country's white supremacist movement. 
The suspect accused of carrying out Friday's terror attack in Christchurch, New Zealand, was likely on his way to carry out a third shooting before he was stopped by authorities, New Zealand's top police official said. Fifty people were killed when a gunman opened fire inside two mosques last week. Authorities have charged Brenton Tarrant, a 28-year-old Australian man, with murder in connection with the incident. More charges are expected. 
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