2,500 acres planned for new graveyards in Karachi – Pakistan

• The local government requested that all housing societies also reserve spaces for cemeteries
• The shortage of burial space has been causing significant anguish to citizens

Karachi: The provincial government finally decided to assign 2,500 acres for cemeteries, since there is no more land available for burial in almost all the main cemeteries of the city.

The decision was taken by the main secretary Syed Asif Hyder Shah during a meeting on Thursday.

The shortage of burial space in the metropolis has caused significant anguish to citizens, with six of the 39 total cemeteries administered by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) already closed to new burials.

In addition, the reuse of tombs has been generalized in cemeteries, including those that have been closed in the city where it is said that the mortality rate is around 0.33 percent of the total population per year.

The sources in the KMC said that more than 10,000 tombs were needed every year in the city in view of the mortality rate, since around 20-25 bodies were buried in different cemeteries of the city daily.

They said that the shortage of burial space has also led to an increase in the price of tombs that could rise to RS200.00.0, depending on the location of the cemetery, since some people prefer to bury their loved ones next to their relatives .

In addition, they said, the number of bodies taken to other parts of the country had also decreased considerably in recent years, mainly due to the remarkable increase in cemetery prices, further deepening shortage.

The sources said around 10,000 tombs were needed every year in the city in view of the mortality rate.

A press release said the main secretary Syed Asif Hyder Shah while presiding over a meeting on Thursday ordered the commissioner to formally refer the matter to the income department to assign adequate lands for cemeteries.

The meeting was served among others by the Senior Revenue Board Baqaullah Unar, additional main secretary Muhammad Iqbal Memon and Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi.

The Chief Secretary also ordered the city administration to make sure that all housing societies reserve spaces for cemeteries in their master plans to accommodate future requirements.

Highlighting the challenges raised by rapid urbanization and population growth, he said that the cemeteries existing in the city were no longer enough, which makes this initiative crucial for the long -term planning of the city.

The Chief Secretary of Sindh also ordered all division commissioners to identify land for cemeteries in other cities in the province. He reiterated the government’s commitment to urban planning that prioritizes essential public services, ensuring that the future development of infrastructure meets the needs of citizens.

In addition, the meeting also addressed other key issues, including strengthening efforts against consumption throughout the province.

It was decided that 13 antisemoto digital compliance stations and 10 joint control stations in strategic locations would be established to stop smuggling activities.

The main secretary, Sindh, instructed the interested authorities to quickly identify and assign land for these facilities. In addition, he ordered the authorities to take strict measures against illegal invasions in government lands.

He also emphasized the need to claim state properties and instructed the relevant departments to accelerate anti-entry operations.

Posted in Dawn, January 31, 2025



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