Imran Khan announces national award for Pakistani hero who died trying to stop NZ gunman

The heroic Pakistani who died after trying to stop the New Zealand attacker will be given a national award, Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced. 

Khaleej Times covered the story of Naeem Rashid, a teacher from Abbattobad who moved to Christchurch, who was killed by the Australian gunman. His 21-year-old son, Talha Naeem, also died in the Al Noor Mosque. 

Khan tweeted early this morning: "We stand ready to extend all our support to the families of Pakistani victims of the terrorist attack in Christchurch. Pakistan is proud of Mian Naeem Rashid who was martyred trying to tackle the White Supremacist terrorist & his courage will be recognized with a national award."

We stand ready to extend all our support to the families of Pakistani victims of the terrorist attack in Christchurch. Pakistan is proud of Mian Naeem Rashid who was martyred trying to tackle the White Supremacist terrorist & his courage will be recognized with a national award.

- Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 17, 2019

There were about six Pakistanis in the Al Noor and Linwood mosque and a total of 49 people were killed during Friday prayers on March 15. 

KT previously spoke to Rashid's wife, Ambreen, who said her husband is a 'hero'. 

She said: "My son and my husband are heroes. This is the mosque they always went to, it is a very lively mosque. I still can't understand or believe why and how this happened. But, I do know that my husband is a hero. He always helped people and even in his last moments, he did what he could to help others."

Rashid's photo was going viral on social media, with many praising his efforts. Though, a few survivors were being hailed as heroes as well. An Afghan man, Abdul Aziz, chased after the attacker in Linwood mosque with the first thing he could find - a credit card machine.

Sarwat@khaleejtimes.com