Model cemetery planned on Dharamshala land

Hindu Council criticises move, ETPB official informs chairman

LAHORE:

While the Evacuee Property Trust Board(EPTB) is carrying out operations on the order of the Supreme Court against illegal occupation of its properties across the country, the Punjab Local Government Department has decided to construct a model cemetery on more than 40 kanals of Hindu Dharamshala land in Gujranwala.

According to sources, the Board of Revenue has transferred the ownership of the land for the model graveyard.

The graveyard is being built on 40 kanal and 10 marla of land of the Hindu Dharamshala located in Khayali Shahpur in Gujranwala district, which is set to be inaugurated soon.

Officials of the EPTB said the land is under the management of the board and no government department can occupy the Waqf property. The Supreme Court has issued orders in this regard.

According to the board officials, it has come to their knowledge that the colonies department has illegally given the land to the local government department and there is a plan to build a model graveyard called Shehr-e-Khamoshan.

The Board of Revenue named the piece of land as Model Cemetery on January 12.

An official of the Gujranwala EPTB, Muhammad Javed, said he had not only informed the chairman of the board about the situation, but would also approach the Lahore High Court.

On the other hand, the Pakistan Hindu Council condemned this move and said the occupation of the Dharamshala would bring disrepute to the country. The council urged the government to take notice of the matter.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 8^th, 2024.