KARACHI: Mayor Wasim Akhtar asked the people on Wednesday to cooperate with graveyard administrations and not insist on a specific spot for grave for the burial of a loved one who had died of the novel coronavirus.

Speaking at a meeting at Frere Hall, Mr Akhtar said there was a different procedure for funerals and burial for a person that had died of Covid-19, adding that separate graveyards were allocated for the purpose.

Metropolitan Commissioner Dr Syed Saifur Rehman, in-charge of the KMC graveyards department Iqbal Pervez, deputy director Sarwar Alam and other officials were also present.

The mayor said that some people asked for special places for graves and sometimes misbehaved with the administration. He asked all district administrations to cooperate with graveyard managements for maintaining law and order.

“People want to bury their loved ones in the same graveyard where their relatives were already buried, but owing to the current situation, it is not possible,” he said.

The mayor said that some miscreants wanted to take advantage of the current situation to disturb the law and order, adding that they could not be allowed to do so.

He said a 13-acre newly established graveyard in Surjani Town was fixed for the burial of people dying of the coronavirus.

Mr Akhtar said the data of a person that died of the coronavirus was shared with the local administration, police and other relevant departments before the body was brought for burial.

“World Health Organisation and experts have warned that May is very important and the number Covid-19 patients could increase considerably and the virus might be at its peak,” said the mayor, asking the citizens to remain at home and adopt all preventive measures.

He added: “We have to combat the coronavirus as a nation and by showing unity and brotherhood.”

Iqbal Pervez told the meeting that there were 208 graveyards in the city of which 41 were in the administrative control of the KMC, 89 of different communities and 78 were in the DHA administrative control, Railways and other institutions.

“Many graveyards of the city are closed for burials for being out of space and the KMC has established two new graveyards along the Superhighway and in Surjani Town, where burials are going to be started,” he added.

Mr Pervez said that the gravediggers and staff of graveyards were provided with protective gear to ensure their safety.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2020