LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Monday launched the province’s first-ever public “Dead Body Transfer Service,” a welfare initiative designed to provide dignified and free transportation of deceased individuals from government hospitals to their homes.
Consequently, officials described the programme as a major step toward improving emergency response services and easing the financial burden on families during times of grief. The service will operate under the supervision of Rescue 1122, ensuring round-the-clock availability and standardized procedures across participating hospitals.
Service begins in major cities with province-wide expansion planned
Authorities confirmed that the initiative has initially started in the major urban centres of Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Multan. However officials plan to extend the service to all tehsils across Punjab by June, thereby ensuring wider public access to the facility. Under the first phase, dedicated ambulances will remain stationed at government hospitals to provide immediate and respectful transportation without charging any fees. Moreover the chief minister personally handed over the keys to the newly designated vehicles and inspected the specially equipped ambulances during the launch ceremony.
Government stresses compassion, transparency, and zero-cost policy
During her address, Maryam Nawaz emphasized the importance of supporting families in moments of emotional distress, noting that private transport providers often demand excessive charges in sensitive situations. Therefore she directed officials to strictly enforce a zero-payment policy and ensure that staff deliver services with dignity, empathy, and professionalism. Meanwhile Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique described the initiative as a milestone in humane governance, adding that the programme will provide both logistical and emotional assistance to bereaved families.
Additionally authorities confirmed that a smart dispatch and rescue management system will monitor operations to guarantee timely responses and efficient coordination. As a result officials expect the service to strengthen public trust in emergency services while improving the overall standard of care within the province’s healthcare system.
