KEY POINTS
- Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz approved a free van service to transport deceased persons from hospitals to their homes.
- At least one dedicated mortuary van will be available in every tehsil, stationed at major public hospitals.
- Families can avail the service via Rescue 1122 or hospital counters, monitored through a smart management system.
- Service includes free inter-city transportation within Punjab, alongside plans to regulate private ambulance rates.
LAHORE: In a significant move to support grieving families, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has given the green light to a free mortuary van and ambulance service across the province, aimed at transporting deceased persons from hospitals to their final resting places.
The approval came during a high-level meeting chaired by the chief minister on Monday, which focused on reviewing both government and private ambulance services operating throughout Punjab.
The new initiative will ensure that no family faces additional hardship in arranging transportation for their departed loved ones.
پنجاب حکومت کا احسن اقدام!
پنجاب میں پہلی بار مفت میں منتقلی سروس کا آغاز وزیر اعلیٰ پنجاب نے منظوری دے دی۔ pic.twitter.com/RP3d6gyW0b
— PMLN (@pmln_org) February 23, 2026
Service to Cover Every Tehsil
Under the newly approved framework, at least one dedicated mortuary van will be made available in every tehsil of the province.
The vehicles will be strategically stationed at major public hospitals to facilitate immediate response when required.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed officials to prepare a comprehensive plan for operationalising the service efficiently.
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She emphasised that the facility must reach every corner of the province without delay, ensuring uniform access for all citizens regardless of their location.
Bereaved families will be able to access the free transportation service through two simple channels: a phone call to Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122) or directly through designated counters at hospitals.
The system will be integrated with a smart management platform to monitor operations and maintain transparency in service delivery.
Inter-City Transportation Included
In a significant expansion of the initiative’s scope, the service will also provide free transportation of deceased individuals from one city to another within Punjab.
This provision addresses a long-standing challenge faced by families who need to transport bodies to ancestral villages or distant hometowns for burial.
Private Ambulance Services to Be Regulated
The meeting also deliberated on the regulatory framework for private ambulance services currently operating across the province.
Participants agreed on the need to regularise these services to ensure standardised care and prevent exploitation of vulnerable families during moments of grief.
A proposal to establish fixed rates for private ambulance services was also reviewed, aiming to bring transparency to a sector that has often operated without clear pricing guidelines.
