SOCIETY owes its existence to those among whom one exists and draws social, material, commercial and moral benefits during one’s lifetime. The same society is indebted to all individuals for a peaceful abode after their death. In the ever-expanding population of Karachi, the allocation for graveyard space is too short!

Here I will speak about the Clifton area comprising nine big blocks, having residential and commercial multi-storyed buildings, commercial areas, commercial highrise complexes and office buildings. A number of Kacchi Abadis are in its vicinity. Its length covers from the Defence Creek Club to Meriwether Tower and breadth covers from the Arabian Sea to Saddar.

Unfortunately, for such a large area, no graveyard has been provided by the metropolis planners nor has it got any consideration in the upcoming massive construction plans of this ever-expanding area. The expansion of this area is not landlocked, having a continuous reclaiming expansion over the sea.

So far, the Defence Graveyard was being used which itself is inadequate even for its own inhabitants. I came to learn from reliable sources that the Defence Authority has imposed restrictions for grave allocation except for its own residents. Where will non-residents be buried then?

Plans for a graveyard even seem to have escaped the mind of former mayor of Karachi, Mustafa Kamal, who delivered many public utility projects for the city. However, he can still be approached and consulted in his capacity as a senator.

Such an important issue also seems to have escaped NGOs like Edhi, Saylani and Aman which have been providing free food to the needy.

Many communities have made arrangements for their own private graveyards as far as Hub. However, graveyards need to be expanded.

The provincial government, the local government, philanthropists and public and private sectors should come up with some solution to this grave issue.

M. NASIM KHAN Karachi