News Detail
Event Title: Senator Danesh Kumar, Convener "Minority Caucus" presiding over a meeting of the Caucus at Parliament House, Islamabad
Event Date: 2026-09-18
Senate Committee Reviews Issues Relating to Minority Graveyards and Christian Graveyard Land in Islamabad and Rawalpindi
A meeting of the minority Caucus reviewed issues relating to the availability, management and capacity of cemeteries/graveyards for Christian and other minority communities in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The Committee also examined alleged encroachment, allotment and occupation of Christian graveyard land of the Roman Catholic Christian Cooperative Housing Society, Humak.
The meeting was attended by Senators Poonjo bheel, Khalil Tahir Sandhu, Member of National Assembly (MNA) Isphanyar M. Bhandara, MNA, Naveed Aamir and senior officials from the relevant Ministries/departments.
The Committee was briefed on the cemeteries and burial sites available for Christian and other minority communities in Islamabad, including their locations, areas, present status and burial capacity. The Committee was informed that the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA), Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI), is responsible for the management and maintenance of designated graveyards/cemeteries within Islamabad under the relevant provisions of the Islamabad Local Government Act, 2015.
The Committee was informed that the Christian Graveyard in Sector H-9/3 (Old) was started in 1981 over an area of 3.13 acres, where approximately 2,000 graves had been consumed and no further space was available.
The Christian Graveyard in Sector H-9/2 (Old), started in December 2000 over an area of 6 acres, had approximately 6,000 graves consumed, with no further space available.
The Committee was further informed about another Christian graveyard established in September 2017, having an area of 3.90 acres, with a capacity of approximately 3,000 graves.
Regarding the Christian Graveyard in Sector H-8/1, the Committee was informed that it was established on July 16, 2024, over an area of 9.58 acres, with a total capacity of approximately 9,000 graves. So far, around 1,120 graves have been consumed, while approximately 8,500 graves could be accommodated in the remaining 8.58 acres, according to the briefing. The Committee was also informed that the Qadiani Graveyard in Sector H-9/2 covers 3.42 acres and is managed by the community itself. The Bahai's Graveyard in Sector H-9/2 covers 1.7 acres and is also managed by the community. The Ismaili's Graveyard in Sector H-8/3 covers 2.45 acres and is managed by the community.
The Committee was further informed that Shamsan Ghat, Sector H-9/2, covers 0.48 acres. So far, one cremation had been performed at the site in October 2012.
The Chairman Committee sought further details regarding the remaining burial capacity of minority graveyards, including those which had been closed or had no further available space. He also inquired about the availability of boundary walls and other facilities at the graveyards.
The Chairman Committee directed the concerned authorities to provide complete details at the next meeting and emphasized the need for an assessment of the graveyards through visits to examine the existing facilities and identify measures for their better management and protection. The Committee deferred the agenda item and decided to undertake visits to the relevant graveyards before considering the matter further.
The officials informed the Committee that, vide notification dated February 25, 2019, the Governor of Punjab delegated the powers of the Registrar Cooperative Societies under the Cooperative Societies Act, 1925, to designated field officers. The Circle Registrar, Rawalpindi is the concerned Registrar of the Roman Catholic Christian Cooperative Housing Society Ltd., Rawalpindi.
The Committee was informed that the Society was registered under Registration No. 333 dated July 5, 1987, with 769 members. Its housing scheme, Fatima Villa, is situated at Mouza Hummak, GT Road, Islamabad. The Society has a total area of 336.4 kanals, comprising 598 plots, while approximately 123 kanals fall under Shamlat-e-Deh. Separate Muslim and Christian graveyards exist within the Society.
The Committee was further informed that the Society's Layout Plan was prepared in 2004, but had not been approved by the CDA.
Christian Graveyard Land. Regarding the Christian graveyard, the officials informed the Committee that 10 kanals had been reserved and earmarked for the Christian graveyard in the Society's working Layout Plan.
According to the revenue record, the land was classified as Shamlat-e-Deh, with the Society recorded as Kashtkar vide Intiqal No. 2998 dated September 24, 1995.
The Committee was informed that out of the 10 kanals, 2.5 kanals were fully utilized as a graveyard, 6.25 kanals remained vacant, while 1.25 kanals had been carved into three plots of 10 marlas, 10 marlas and 5 marlas by the previous Managing Committee and allotted during 2006–08.
The officials stated that possession of the three plots had been handed over at locations different from those shown in the working Layout Plan, following which a grey structure/boundary walls were constructed. The matter is presently sub judice before the Civil Court, Islamabad.
The Committee was informed that the Society had approached the relevant authorities regarding protection and retrieval of the graveyard land against alleged encroachment. The officials further stated that all three plots had been cancelled on June 28, 2026, under By-Law 34. Restoration of the land would be pursued in accordance with law after conclusion of the pending civil proceedings.
The officials further briefed the Committee that an inquiry under Section 43 of the Cooperative Societies Act, 1925 had been initiated, while a Special Audit for the period 2012–2025 had been assigned to identify irregularities and fix responsibility.
The Committee was also informed that most of the property record had been digitized and the Society had been shifted to the Computerized Property Transfer System (PTS) to improve transparency and prevent fraud and manipulation of records.
The officials stated that the Society had approached the Revenue Authorities for demarcation/partition of the 6.25-kanal vacant land, after which the CDA/Deputy Commissioner Islamabad would be approached for restoration of possession for the Christian graveyard.
Committee Directs Comprehensive Report
The Chairman Committee directed the concerned authorities to hear all parties having reservations or grievances and submit a comprehensive report to the Committee. He emphasized that the relevant departments, being regulatory authorities, should ensure effective oversight and timely resolution of such matters.
The Committee was informed that the Managing Committee would submit the complete relevant record to the concerned authorities within two weeks. The officials assured the Committee that responsibility would be fixed and appropriate action taken against officials found involved in any irregularity.
The Chairman directed the CDA Chairman and the concerned Rawalpindi authorities to constitute a committee to examine and resolve the matter. He further directed the affected parties to submit their grievances in writing to the CDA for appropriate action.
The Committee decided to take up the matter again after three weeks, following submission of the inquiry/report. The Secretary, Ministry of Human Rights, would also be invited to brief the Committee on broader issues relating to minority rights.
The Chairman further emphasized the need for appropriate institutional mechanisms for the timely resolution of issues faced by minority communities and directed the concerned authorities to ensure that their grievances were addressed through the relevant legal and administrative mechanisms.