Rakh Dhamial graveyard provides much-needed solution to insufficient burial space

Rawalpindi: Rakh Dhamial graveyard is a new cemetery established in Rawalpindi, which has provided a much-needed solution to the problem of insufficient burial space in the city and cantonment board areas. Previously, there was no space left in any of the 54 graveyards in these areas, leaving many citizens without a place to bury their loved ones.

However, despite being fully operational, many people in Rawalpindi were unaware of the existence of Rakh Dhamial graveyard and were still struggling to find space for burials in other graveyards in the city and cantonment board areas. Therefore, it is necessary to launch an awareness campaign to inform locals of the new facility and encourage them to contact the Metropolitan Corporation Rawalpindi (MCR) to avail of its services.

According to the Town Officer (TO) Rafaqat Gondal, separate graveyards have been established for the Muslim and Christian communities, covering 1000 and 200 kanals of land, respectively. The MCR has also provided ambulance services to transport deceased individuals to the Rakh Dhamial graveyard. The cemetery has been designed in a modern style, with separate prayer areas, toilets, and ample water supply.

The Punjab government allocated Rs200 million for the establishment of the model cemetery at Rakh Dhamial in the budget for the 2017-18 fiscal year. It is also worth noting that the affected families will not be charged any fee for burial space at Rakh Dhamial graveyard, unlike other graveyards in the city and cantonment board areas, where citizens are required to pay between Rs30000 to Rs40000 for space and other expenses.

Previously, the acquisition of a grave had become a serious problem in the City and Cantt areas. Whenever a death occurred, the funeral could not be held until a grave was arranged. Old and dilapidated graves in the old cemeteries were destroyed to make way for new graves, which were provided at a significant cost. 

The current management of Rakh Dhamial graveyard has announced that all necessary items, including shrouds, grave digging, and slabs, will be provided free of charge to deserving families.