ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORTER
An important meeting was held at the Capital Development Authority (CDA) Headquarters under the chairmanship of Chairman CDA and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa. The meeting was attended by CDA Board Member Engineering, Syed Nafasat Raza, Member Planning Dr. Khalid Hafiz and other senior officers.
In line with the directions of the Federal Minister of Interior, Mohsin Naqvi, several decisions were made during the meeting regarding the allocation of land for establishing new graveyards in Islamabad. Following the Federal Interior Minister’s instructions, it was decided to develop graveyards at three newly allocated locations in the city. Chairman CDA said that the new graveyards would be developed keeping in view the growing needs of Islamabad’s population.
During the briefing, it was informed that approximately 800 kanals of land have been allocated for a new graveyard at Pandorian. Similarly, land has also been allocated for new graveyards at Humak and Malpur. The meeting was informed that 200 kanals have been allocated for the new graveyard in Malpur, while over 10 kanals have been allocated for the graveyard in Humak. The new graveyards will facilitate the population of both urban and rural areas of Islamabad.
Chairman CDA directed to promptly commence work on the development of model graveyards at all these sites. He directed that the construction of the graveyards should take into account the best model and international standards.
Chairman CDA directed that all facilities related to funeral and burial services must be ensured in the new graveyards. He also instructed the CDA to construct boundary walls and walkways in the new graveyards. He directed that provisions for a funeral hall, facilities for bathing the deceased, a mosque, ablution areas and all other necessary amenities must be ensured. Additionally, he instructed to ensure parking facilities, permanent installation of LED lights and water supply in the new graveyards.
It is important to note that alongside the construction of new graveyards, the existing graveyards in the Capital City of Islamabad are being upgraded on modern lines. Chairman CDA instructed that the existing graveyards be upgraded with boundary walls, security, permanent lighting arrangements and walkways. For public convenience, he also directed to provide special electric funeral buses for burials in both new and old graveyards.
Chairman CDA said that the free electric funeral bus service will ease the process of transporting the deceased to the graveyard. He directed that all necessary resources be utilized to ensure the provision of the best possible facilities to citizens in their time of grief and difficulty. Chairman CDA said that the completion of the new graveyards will not only provide excellent facilities to the citizens of the Capital but will also meet the graveyard requirements of Islamabad City.
