“A City of Silence” — A Noble Cause Beyond Borders
A Young Man, A Mission, and a Vision for His People. For many Pakistanis living abroad, the primary focus is often to resolve personal or family issues using foreign income — building houses, buying cars, or securing financial stability. But Arbab Jahangir Edhiis not among the ordinary. Rather than investing in personal luxuries, he chose a path that honors his late father and uplifts his **community** through a cause rooted in humanity: the founding of the “Mola Shan Trust”.
Understanding the Need — A New Graveyard for Kabirwala
With Kabirwala’s growing population, Arbab Jahangir recognized the pressing need for a new graveyarda “City of Silence” to serve the people with dignity even in their final resting place. Through the platform of Mola Shan Trust, he reached out to all key stakeholders in the city including the Bar Association, Press Club, All Traders Groups, and various social and political figures inviting them to join this mission. “We are not just planning a project, we are fulfilling a communal responsibility. Let’s work together to make it a reality.” To lead by example, Mola Shan Trust pledged a donation of PKR 300,000, becoming the first drop of rain in this much-needed effort.
Why This Project Is Urgent
“Kabirwala has a population well over 100,000, yet we only have two or three old graveyards. For decades, the entire population has been buried in the same limited space. The city has two union councils — and clearly needs at least two functioning graveyards.” One graveyard project is already near completion in terms of funding; efforts for the second are actively underway, including a successful three-day donation camp. This initiative is more than just a good deed it’s a wise investment for the afterlife.
The National Context — A Widespread Crisis
With a population exceeding 230 million, Pakistan faces a mortality rate of over 5%. Considering that over 99% of the population practices burial, the need for new graveyards is becoming a national emergency. In almost all major cities:
Lahore’s historic Miani Sahib graveyard has run out of space. The Christian (Gora) Graveyard is in a deteriorating condition. Karachi, Pakistan’s economic hub, hasn’t established a new graveyard in 28 years. Some claim the existing ones have been used three times over. In Islamabad, grave allocation is reportedly tied to your residential address only residents with a local ID are allowed burial. Land mafia encroachments have further worsened the crisis nationwide. To combat this issue, Lahore formed a “Shehr-e-Khamoshan Authority” in 2017 a much-needed initiative.
Stories of Hope — Inspiration from Across Pakistan
Arbab Jahangir Edhi is not alone in his mission: In Lahore, the late Justice Jameel Hussain Rizvi generously donated land on Ferozepur Road for a graveyard. It has been developed so beautifully that it resembles a public garden, with:
* Lush green grass
* Benches
* Concrete slabs where families can even sit together to eat and reflect
In Bhera Tehsil, a young, unsung hero named Jan Muhammad saw land mafia taking over graveyard land. He didn’t stay silent — he filed complaints, mobilized media, ran social media campaigns, and eventually began construction of the boundary wall through self-help. Today, that graveyard is fully protected.
A Call to Action — Join the Movement
The above examples remind us that change doesn’t always need massive funding — it needs leadership, heart, and initiative. Let us take inspiration from Mola Shan Trust and:
* Donate to new graveyard projects
* Offer land where possible
* Speak up against land encroachment
* Raise awareness in our own communities
This is the kind of investment that benefits not only us but generations to come. Let’s build not just homes for the living, but peaceful, dignified resting places for the departed. Mola Shan Trust —Bringing Smiles in Everyone’s Life. Together, let’s bring dignity in life and in death.
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