During a meeting chaired by Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique, various measures were approved to expand the scope of Punjab Shehr-e-Khamoshan Authority, a public entity responsible for delivering service in graveyards. Chairman Authority Malik Qasim Nadeem (MPA) and Special Secretary Asia Gul also attended the meeting, while Director General Shehr-e-Khamoshan Authority Muhammad Asghar Joyia gave a briefing.
Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafique directed to conduct a third-party survey of cemeteries across the province saying that the authority should play an active role in finding solutions to the problems of burial. He said that Shehr-e-Khamoshan Authority should have its own office to ensure the achievement of the set goals. "The Punjab government will take necessary steps to remove the shortage of staff in the authority”, he pledged.The Minister directed the DG to prepare a detailed presentation for Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz observing that cemeteries are a sacred place in the Islamic society. "Shehr-e-Khamoshan Authority should utilise all resources for the facilities of the citizens”, he urged. The Minister for Local Government said that the appointment of Imams of mosques in villages should be reviewed. "These Imams of mosques can perform the duties of leading the funeral prayers”, suggested he. Moreover Zeeshan Rafique said that the Shehr-e-Khamoshan Authority should also prepare a plan to build the boundary walls of the cemeteries. "Tree plantation should also be done along the boundary walls of each cemetery. The authority should bring the cemeteries under its purview in a phased manner”, he stressed. He said that all the facilities for transferring the dead body to the cemetery, bathing and burial should be provided in uninterrupted manner. He, In addition, directed that a detailed roadmap should be prepared soon for developing new cemeteries. Speaking at the meeting, Chairman Shehr-e-Khamoshan Authority MPA Malik Qasim Nadeem said that a plan is being made to provide more staff and resources for the authority. He stressed that steps are needed to make the authority active in the context of population growth.
