ISLAMABAD: Representatives of the Christian community have called upon the interior minister to take notice of CDA’s neglect of the Christian cemetery at H-8 despite repeated reminders.

Social, political and business leaders from the community held a meeting and formed an action committee to protect their cemetery rights.

The committee demanded that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi should investigate and hold accountable those responsible for the inaction.

Addressing the meeting, Chairman Pakistan Minority Forum (PMF) and Pak-Christian Business Forum (PCBF) Chaudhry Ashraf Farzand regretted that despite the community’s efforts no one seemed interested in resolving the issue.

He criticised the CDA’s slow response, stating that mega projects were completed quickly, but basic facilities for the small Christian community’s graveyard was being delayed.

“The plot allocated in 2023 remains untouched, and stray animals desecrate graves,” he added.

Social leader Jamil Khokhar emphasised the state’s responsibility to provide citizens with basic facilities, including burial grounds.

Shams Gill said his wife died last week and he was shocked to see the pathetic condition of the graveyard.

“At least we [Christian community] should be considered human beings if not equal to other residents of Islamabad,” he added.

The meeting, attended by various leaders, including Imran Shehzad and Adil Ghouri, resolved to jointly work to ensure necessary facilities at the cemetery.

The committee demanded basic facilities at the Christian graveyard, an investigation into CDA’s neglect besides holding officials accountable. It said proper burial grounds for the Christian community should be ensured in the capital.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2025