PESHAWAR – The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has slammed the local administration for turning a cemetery into a landfill, ordering officials to designate a new waste disposal site away from the Charsadda graveyard within 30 days.
A two-member bench, consisting of Justice Sabitullah Khan and Justice Qazi Jawad Ihsanullah Qureshi, warned that the current practice triggers a massive public health crisis. During the hearing, Justice Qazi Jawad Ihsanullah remarked that the stench and pollution from the Charsadda graveyard dumping site have made breathing difficult for local residents.
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“A Grave Concern for Public Health”
The petitioner’s counsel informed the court that the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) is currently using the city’s largest burial ground as a primary dumping station. This illegal activity has transformed the Charsadda graveyard into a source of disease, forcing locals to live amidst foul odors and hazardous waste.
Key Highlights from the Hearing:
- The Violation: The administration currently hauls garbage from across Charsadda city and dumps it directly into the cemetery.
- The Health Risk: Residents report severe respiratory issues and skin infections due to the proximity of the waste.
- The Official Stance: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Charsadda, Azmatullah Wazir, admitted the difficulty in finding nearby barren land, noting that alternative sites like Tangi are too far and costly to maintain.
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Court Rejects Delays
While DC Azmatullah Wazir requested more time to navigate logistical hurdles, the PHC bench maintained that the sanctity of the Charsadda graveyard and the health of the citizens take precedence over transportation costs.
The court ended the hearing by granting a final one-month deadline to finalize a new location, adjourning the case until the next compliance report is submitted.
