LAHORE: Punjab CM approves free mortuary van service in a major welfare initiative aimed at easing the burden on grieving families across the province. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Monday gave formal approval for the launch of a free ambulance and mortuary van service to transport deceased persons from hospitals to their homes without any cost.
The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by the chief minister to review both government-run and private ambulance services operating across Punjab. Officials briefed the chief minister on the current availability, performance gaps, and public complaints regarding ambulance and body transportation services.
Under the new initiative, at least one dedicated mortuary van will be deployed in every tehsil of Punjab. The service will initially begin from major public hospitals and gradually expand to ensure full provincial coverage. According to officials present at the meeting, the primary objective is to provide dignified and timely transportation of deceased individuals from hospitals to their residences.
The chief minister directed authorities to prepare a comprehensive and practical operational plan to ensure smooth implementation. She emphasized that grieving families should not face financial or logistical hurdles during moments of loss. The Punjab CM approves free mortuary van service as part of broader efforts to strengthen emergency and humanitarian services in the province.
Bereaved families will be able to avail the service free of charge by contacting Punjab Emergency Service Rescue 1122 or by approaching designated hospital counters. The integration with Rescue 1122 is expected to ensure quick response times and province-wide coordination.
Officials further revealed that the service will be monitored through a smart management system designed to maintain transparency, efficiency, and accountability. The digital monitoring mechanism will track vehicle movement, response times, and service quality to prevent misuse or delays.
In a significant expansion of scope, the facility will not only transport deceased persons within the same city but will also provide free inter-city transportation within Punjab. This step is expected to particularly benefit low-income families who often struggle to afford private ambulance services for long-distance body transfers.
During the meeting, it was also decided to regulate private ambulance operators functioning across the province. Authorities reviewed a proposal to fix standard rates for private ambulance services to prevent overcharging. Complaints regarding inflated charges by private operators have been raised in the past, particularly during emergencies and hospital transfers.
The Punjab CM approves free mortuary van service while simultaneously seeking to streamline and regularize the broader ambulance ecosystem. Officials believe that rate standardization and regulatory oversight will improve service delivery and protect citizens from exploitation.
However, the announcement also triggered political criticism. Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, criticized the provincial government’s spending priorities during a public gathering. He alleged that instead of focusing on structural development, public funds are being allocated to projects aimed at publicity.
Hafiz Naeem claimed that the Punjab government had purchased an aircraft worth Rs11 billion while poverty in the province had increased by 31 percent. He further alleged that taxpayers’ money was being spent on advertisements rather than on tangible development projects.
“There is no real development in Punjab; advertisements are being run with taxpayers’ money,” he stated, adding that nearly 10 million children in the province remain out of school. He also claimed that poverty has increased the most in Punjab compared to other provinces.
Despite the criticism, government officials maintain that the free mortuary van initiative directly addresses a pressing humanitarian need. Many families, particularly in rural and low-income urban areas, struggle to afford private ambulance services, which can charge substantial fees for transporting deceased individuals, especially over long distances.
Healthcare experts note that body transportation services are often overlooked in public health planning. The Punjab CM approves free mortuary van service as part of an attempt to institutionalize dignity in post-hospital care and reduce financial stress during bereavement.
If implemented effectively, the initiative could serve as a model for other provinces in Pakistan. Ensuring at least one mortuary van in every tehsil reflects a decentralized approach, aiming to bring services closer to local communities.
Authorities are expected to announce the rollout timeline and operational guidelines in the coming days. Training protocols for staff, vehicle specifications, and emergency response coordination mechanisms are also under review.
The success of the project will largely depend on sustained funding, efficient management, and transparent monitoring. With digital tracking and Rescue 1122 integration, the provincial administration hopes to avoid the operational gaps that have affected other public welfare schemes in the past.
As Punjab moves forward with this initiative, the Punjab CM approves free mortuary van service decision marks a significant step in addressing both emergency response gaps and social welfare concerns across the province.
