KARACHI: An eight-member central committee, comprising Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) officers and representatives of welfare organisations, set up on directives of city Administrator Laeeq Ahmed to improve condition of cemeteries, decided to take several steps under which gravediggers and other staff working in cemeteries would be registered and they would be issued regular identity cards.

In the first meeting of the central committee many decisions were taken under which persons under age of 18 years would not be eligible to perform any work in graveyard.

Moreover, in two new ‘model’ cemeteries under construction in North Karachi and along the Link Road National Highway, burial would be done free of cost in collaboration with welfare organisations Saylani Welfare Trust and the JDC and no money would be charged from the people.

The records of these two cemeteries will also be fully computerised.

The meeting was attended by committee convener and KMC senior director media management Ali Hassan Sajid, director cemeteries Iqbal Pervez, Al-Khidmat foundation’s coordinator Manzar Alam, Saylani welfare trust’s Munawwar Younis, and representatives from other welfare organisations.

On the occasion, the rates of graves and burial expenses in the cemeteries of the KMC were reviewed in detail.

It was decided that official rates for burials in cemeteries would be fixed at Rs9,000 which would be strictly enforced.

In this regard, the gravedigger will be instructed to refrain from charging exorbitant fee for grave preparation and burial from citizens, otherwise action will be taken against them.

It was decided in the meeting that cleaning of graveyards would be the responsibility of the KMC while cleaning of exterior would be arranged by the district municipal corporations concerned.

All cemeteries will be cleaned in phases to facilitate people’s visits to burial grounds.

During the meeting, Mr Sajid said the purpose of setting up of the central committee was to improve burial procedure, infrastructure, provision of street lights and tree plantation, prevention of bodies’ theft and issuance of burial certificates.

“All these processes will be transparent and efficient,” he added.

He said that the central committee would oversee all matters from the provision of graves in cemeteries to the burial of the dead and in the meantime provide full support to bereaved families.

The KMC media director also asked the representatives of welfare organisations to give their suggestions in this regard.

The next meeting will consider and decide the implementation steps and further measures will be taken to improve the condition of cemeteries.

The meeting participants welcomed the steps taken by the central committee.

The convener said that the fee should have been collected in cemeteries in accordance with the sub-rules of 2019, but different amounts were being charged in different graveyards.

The administrator directed the committee to fulfil its responsibilities as per its mandate and take steps in the best interest of citizens.

Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2021