RAWALPINDI: On the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, a free corpse transportation service has been launched in the district of Rawalpindi.

In this regard, vehicles have been provided to Rescue 1122 by the Punjab government.

A spokesman for the emergency services, Usman Gujjar, said the facility of free transportation of bodies from government hospitals to the deceased’s homes will be provided. The chief minister has provided vehicles to Rescue 1122 for this project so that the service can be run effectively.

District Emergency Officer Engineer Sibghatullah handed over the keys of the vehicles allocated for the mortuary service to the drivers and also issued them instructions regarding their professional responsibilities.

He said Rescue 1122 was striving to serve the public and the new service will prove to be a great convenience for citizens in difficult times. Citizens can call the rescue helpline 1122 to obtain a funeral service.

A press release issued by Punjab public relations wing said the chief minister had launched Pakistan’s first ever government-run “Deceased Transportation Service”.

She handed over the keys of vehicles to authorities in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Multan and also inspected the vehicles.

The chief minister met Rescue personnel, appreciated their services and directed them to perform their duties with devotion.

Under the first phase, the service will provide free-of-cost and dignified transfer of the deceased from government hospitals to their homes in Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi. By June, the scope of the service will be gradually extended to every tehsil of Punjab with a dedicated ambulance to be provided in each tehsil for this purpose.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said it was unfortunate that private transporters charge excessive fares from families in cases of death at hospitals.

Health Minister Khwaja Salman Rafique termed the initiative commendable and said private ambulances would be arranged in the second phase for other cities.

Rescue 1122 Director General Dr Rizwan Naseer said the service would also facilitate the transfer of bodies to hospital morgues where required. He added that the system would be monitored through a smart rescue management and dispatch system.

Published in Dawn, April 15th, 2026