RAWALPINDI
Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif launched Pakistan’s first official “Funeral Transport Service,” which is a new honor for Punjab in public service. She noted that in the first phase, Funeral Transport Service will respectfully transport deceased individuals free of charge from government hospitals in Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi to their homes.
She said that by June, scope of the Service will be gradually extended to every tehsil (sub-district) of Punjab. She added that in each tehsil, a dedicated ambulance under the “Deceased Care Service” will be provided for funeral transport.
She handed over keys of vehicles for Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Multan; and inspected vehicles of the Service.
Chief Minister Punjab interacted with the rescue personnels of the Funeral Transport Service, and praised their commitment to service. She directed them to work with a spirit of seeking God’s pleasure, besides counseling and comforting the grieving family in the event of a patient’s death by saying, “In the painful moment of losing a loved one, we are with you and will remain with you.”
She underscored that it is regrettable that in the event of a patient’s death in a hospital, private transporters extort exorbitant fares. She appealed to the rescue personnels that they should not take money for funeral transport under any circumstances, even if someone voluntarily offers them the same. She directed them to work for public service with the spirit of seeking God’s pleasure.
Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafiq said that the launch of Funeral Transport Service is a commendable initiative of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. He added that through Funeral Transport Service, they want to make people feel that they share their grief in difficult times.
He highlighted that in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Multan, Funeral Transport Service is currently being launched within city limits; while private ambulances will be provided for other cities in the second phase of the Service.
DG Rescue Services Dr. Rizwan Naseer gave a detailed briefing on the Service. He said that to access the funeral transport service from a government hospital to home, people can call 1122. He added that at government hospitals, trained and uniformed drivers will be available 24/7 at special counters set up for Funeral Transport Service at every government hospital.
He highlighted that a deceased can also be transported from a hospital’s mortuary via Funeral Transport Service, which will be monitored through a smart rescue management service and dispatch system.
