Separate graveyard sought for virus victims

Petitioner says funeral gatherings may worsen situation

LAHORE: A petition seeking a separate graveyard for the burial of coronavirus victims has been filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC).

The petitioner also sought directives to the authorities concerned to constitute a committee to ensure implementation on the mechanism for the burial of the coronavirus patients.

However, Justice Shakilur Rehman sought reply from the provincial government by May 11.

Petitioner Sayed Husnain Haider drew attention of the court towards the opinion of international experts that the effects of coronavirus persist even after the burial of the coronavirus patients. He claimed that there were chances of the spread of the virus in the unaffected areas if the coronavirus victims were buried in them.

He implored the court in his petition that those patients who fell prey to coronavirus were kept in quarantine and no one was allowed to meet them to avoid transmission of the virus among others.

The petitioner said those who died with coronavirus were being buried in common graveyards and the gatherings during funeral prayers might worsen the situation.

He contended that some coronavirus victims were buried in private land dedicated for graveyards in different areas.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 6^th, 2020.