ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary panel on Friday reviewed issues related to the availability, management and capacity of graveyards of Christian and other minority communities in the twin cities, and examined the alleged encroachment of Christian graveyard land in Humak.
The meeting of the parliamentary Minority Caucus was attended by senators Poonjo Mal Bheel and Khalil Tahir Sandhu, MNAs Isphanyar M. Bhandara and Naveed Aamir and senior officials from relevant ministries and departments.
The committee was briefed on cemeteries and burial sites available for Christian and other minority communities in Islamabad, including their locations, areas, present status and burial capacity.
Officials informed the committee that the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA), Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI), is responsible for management and maintenance of designated graveyards within Islamabad under the IslamabadLocal Government Act, 2015.
The committee was informed that the Christian graveyard in Sector H-9/3 (Old) was started in 1981 on an area of 3.13 acres, where approximately 2,000 graves had been accommodated and no further space was available.
The Christian graveyard in Sector H-9/2 (Old), started in December 2000 on an area of six acres, had approximately 6,000 graves with no further space available. Another Christian graveyard established in September 2017 has an area of 3.9 acres, with a capacity of approximately 3,000 graves, the officials said.
Regarding the Christian graveyard in Sector H-8/1, the committee was informed that it was established on July 16, 2024, on an area of 9.58 acres, with a total capacity of approximately 9,000 graves. So far, around 1,120 graves have been accommodated, with space for approximately 8,500 graves available in the remaining 8.58 acres.
The Qadiani graveyard in Sector H-9/2 covers 3.42 acres and is managed by the community itself, while the Bahai graveyard in Sector H-9/2 covers 1.7 acres. The graveyard for the Ismaili community in Sector H-8/3 is spread on an area of 2.45 acres. Shamsan Ghat has been built in Sector H-9/2 on an area of 0.48 acres where one cremation has been performed in October 2012.
The chairman sought further details regarding the remaining burial capacity in minority graveyards, including those which had been closed or had no further available space, and inquired about boundary walls and other facili-ties.
He directed the authorities to provide complete details in the next meeting and emphasised the need for assessment of graveyards through visits to examine existing facilities and identify measures for better management and protection. The committee deferred the agenda and decided to undertake visits to relevant graveyards before considering the matter further.
The committee also examined alleged encroachment and allotment of Christian graveyard land of the Roman Catholic Christian Cooperative Housing Society, Humak. Officials informed the committee 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 Humak, G.T. Road, Islamabad, with a total area of 336.4 kanals comprising 598 plots, while approximately 123 kanals fall under Shamlat-e-Deh.
According to officials, 10 kanals had been reserved and earmarked for Christian graveyard in the society’s working layout plan. As per revenue record, the land was classified as Shamlat-e-Deh, with the society recorded as Kashtkar vide Intigal No.
2998 dated September 24, 1995.
Out of 10 kanals, 2.5 kanals were fullyutilised as graveyard,6.25 kanals remained vacant, while 1.25 kanals had been carved into three plots by the previous managing committee and allotted during 2006-08, officials said.
Possession of the three plots hadbeen handed over at locations different from those shown in the working layout plan, following which grey structure/boundary walls were constructed. The matter is presently sub judice before the Civil Court, Islamabad, they added.
Officials said the society had approached relevant authorities regarding protection and retrieval of graveyard land, and all three plots had been cancelled on June 28, 2026, under by law 34. Restoration of land would be pursued in accordance with law after conclusion of pending civil proceedings.
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. Officials said most of the property record had been digitised and the society had been shifted to the Computerised Property Transfer System (PTS).
The chairman directed the authorities to hear allparties having reservations and submit a comprehensive report. He directed the CDA chairman and concerned Rawalpindi authorities to constitute a committee to examine and resolve the matter and directed affected parties to submit their grievances in writing to the CDA.
The committee decided to take up the matter again after three weeks, following submission of the inquiry report, and decided toinvite the secretary, Ministry of Human Rights, to brief the committee on broader issues relating to minority rights.