Senate panel flags Christian cemetery crisis

Community faces acute shortage of burial space; seeks additional land

ISLAMABAD:

The Senate Parliamentary Committee on Minorities' Affairs on Saturday took notice of the worsening shortage of burial space at a Christian cemetery in Islamabad, seeking reports from all relevant institutions on the issue.

Committee Chairman Senator Dinesh Kumar said the matter was serious and would be taken up at the committee's next meeting. He also said he would meet the prime minister and interior minister to seek a resolution.

Islamabad Deputy Commissioner has already sought a report from the Circle Registrar regarding the issue.

The matter was raised during a meeting between the president of the Roman Catholic Society, Sarfraz Francis Vicky, and the chairman of the Senate Parliamentary Committee on Minorities' Affairs.

Vickey presented a report highlighting the severe shortage of burial space at the Christian cemetery in Dhoke Awan, Humak, Islamabad, which is administered by the Roman Catholic Society.

Senator Kumar sought a report from the relevant authorities and said the important issue would be resolved.

Vickey said the acute shortage of burial space at the cemetery had created a serious problem for the Christian community.

The society's administration had appealed to senior officials and relevant institutions to immediately provide additional land for the cemetery and take practical steps to vacate the area allegedly affected by encroachment or other issues. Following the appeal, the deputy commissioner sought a report.

Government land is expected to be allocated for a new Christian cemetery.

Vickey further said arrangements should also be made to provide alternative burial space for Christian families until the issue concerning the existing cemetery land is resolved permanently.

A petition is also being filed before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) over the matter.

A severe shortage of burial space at the Christian cemetery administered by the Roman Catholic Christian Cooperative Housing Society, Dhoke Awan Humak, Islamabad, has become a serious problem for the Christian community.

The society's administration had appealed to senior officials and relevant departments to immediately provide additional land for the cemetery and take practical steps to retrieve the land allegedly affected by encroachments. Following the complaint, the DC sought a report on the matter. Government land is also expected to be allocated for a new Christian cemetery.

A total of 10 kanals of land had originally been allocated for the Christian cemetery. However, according to existing records and the available area, only around four kanals of land now remain, leaving extremely limited space for further burials.

According to the complaints, 25 marlas of the cemetery land were allegedly sold and encroachments were subsequently established on the site.