KMC to take welfare bodies on board to run graveyards.

KARACHI -- City Administrator Laeeq Ahmed on Monday said that the cemeteries under the administrative control of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation were in very poor condition as 'graveyards mafia' was ruling the burial grounds.

While presiding over a meeting to review the affairs of graveyards, he said that the burial process at KMC cemeteries should be done through one window.

The administrator said that graveyards' managing committees comprising of welfare organizations including Saylani, JDC, Edhi Foundation and Chhipa Foundation would be formed for betterment. The committees would manage the graveyards' affairs with the KMC, he added.

Saylani Welfare Trust president Yousuf Lakhani, JDC general secretary Zafar Abbas, representatives of Edhi Foundation, Chhipa Foundation and KMC officials were also present.

The administrator said that people should get graves on government-fixed rates and overcharging should come to an end. 'We want welfare organizations to cooperate with the KMC for fixing issues at cemeteries,' he said.

Mr Ahmed said that if some welfare organization wanted to take administrative control of graveyard, the KMC would cooperate with it.

JDC general secretary Zafar Abbas said that condition of cemeteries was worsening as graves were sold from Rs10,000 to Rs250,000. He said that...