Punjab govt launches free mortuary transport service in three cities

LAHORE: The Punjab government on Monday launched a state-run mortuary transport service for the first time, aiming to provide free and regulated transfer of bodies from public hospitals to homes in three major cities.

In the first phase, the service has been rolled out in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Multan, with plans to expand it to every tehsil of the province by June, officials said.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz inaugurated the service by handing over keys of specially designated vehicles for body transportation in the three cities and inspected the fleet during the ceremony.

“During the painful time of losing a loved one, we are and will remain with the people,” Maryam Nawaz said.

She also directed that no rescue personnel should accept payment from families if offered for the service, stressing that it must remain fully free and public-funded.

Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique described the initiative as a “commendable step” by the chief minister, saying it would improve dignity and standardisation in post-mortem transport services.

Officials said the service will initially operate through government hospitals in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Multan, with expansion planned across the province in phases.

Under the system, trained drivers will be available at public hospitals, while dedicated counters will be set up to handle requests for body transfer services, officials said in a briefing.

The service will be accessible via Pakistan’s emergency helpline 1122, which will coordinate the dispatch of vehicles from hospitals to residences or mortuaries.

Authorities said bodies could also be transported from hospital morgues using the same system.

The service will be monitored through a centralised smart dispatch and management system under the Rescue 1122 network to ensure tracking and coordination, according to officials.

Rescue officials said private ambulances may be engaged in later phases to support expansion in other cities.

Officials said the initiative is intended to streamline a sensitive public service, reduce informal payments, and ensure dignified handling of deceased individuals across government hospitals.