Even on the holy nights, the dead lie in filth

Sacchal Graveyard is inundated with sewage while foul smell permeates the air

KARACHI: It was after years that Farooq Aslam visited the Sacchal Graveyard to pay his respects to his late mother around 4pm. It was Shab-e-Barat – an occasion when many Muslims visit the graves of their deceased loved ones. To Aslam’s surprise and dismay, the entire graveyard was inundated with sewage and a foul smell permeated the air.

Sacchal Graveyard is located between Bilawal Goth and Sacchal Goth. The state of the graveyard is such that no resident of the area dares to enter it – the land has turned into a swamp.

Sacchal Graveyard is located between Bilawal Goth and Sacchal Goth. The state of the graveyard is such that no resident of the area dares to enter it - the land has turned into a swamp. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN

"It was after years I made my way to the graveyard to offer Fateha for my mother," said Aslam in a low voice. "I wish I hadn't buried her here."



Earlier this week, Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar had directed the relevant departments of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) to arrange for proper cleaning and lighting at the 52 graveyards that fall in its domain. The directives were issued in order to facilitate the people who visit graveyards to offer prayers on Shab-e-Barat. Akhtar had also asked the District Municipal Corporations (DMCs) and the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) to arrange for proper cleaning and repair of water and sewerage lines within their jurisdictions. Despite the K-Electric's assurance of uninterrupted power supply, he said that they have installed generators inside the graveyards and have also conducted fumigation inside the graveyards of the city.

While Akhtar visited the various graveyards of the city to ensure proper arrangements, he missed the city's abandoned Sacchal Graveyard.

There's a possibility that you may find human parts flowing inside the graveyard, said a resident. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN

According to one of the residents of the area, Muhammad Bux, the Sacchal Graveyard is one of the oldest graveyards of the locality and it separates Bilawal Goth and Sacchal Goth. "The water was drained out through suction pumps hardly a few days back," he said, adding that the water level rose above the ground level again in no time. "Every year before Shab-Barat, media vans queue outside the graveyard,” he said. “They make reports, take interviews, but nothing happens."



Another resident of the area, Malik Rab Nawaz, said that one can only offer prayers from outside the graveyard. "Entering the cemetery requires courage," he said. "There's a possibility that you may find human parts flowing inside the graveyard. This is a sacred place and shouldn't be inundated with sewage."

Other graveyards

The situation was not very different in other cemeteries of the city. When The Express Tribune visited the Muhammad Shah Graveyard in North Karachi, a portion was also inundated with sewage. Akram jumped over the graves submerged in the filthy water, just to catch a glimpse of his brother's grave. "The sewage water flows directly from the locality into the graveyard," he said, adding that the situation has remained the same for years.

According to one of the residents of the area, Muhammad Bux, the Sacchal Graveyard is one of the oldest graveyards of the locality and it separates Bilawal Goth and Sacchal Goth. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN

Meanwhile, garbage and polythene bags had littered the Azeempura Graveyard in Korangi district. All the garbage of Shah Faisal Colony and Korangi district is dumped in the Malir River, adjacent to which the graveyard is located. A part of the boundary wall has collapsed, due to which all the garbage that is dumped inside the river washes up in the graveyard.

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Once a week, said one of the caretakers, someone sets the garbage on fire, due to which the graves also get affected.

Authorities’ version

KMC Graveyards Deputy Director Sarwar Alam said the Sacchal Graveyard is not registered with them. There have been complaints from that graveyard for years, he said, adding that the KWSB should address the issues of sewage there. As for the Azeempura Graveyard, he said the issue of garbage had been resolved.

Meanwhile, KWSB Managing Director Hashim Raza Zaidi was not available for comments.