LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the launch of a free ambulance service for the transportation of deceased persons from hospitals to their homes — a first-of-its-kind initiative in Punjab. The approval was granted during a special meeting chaired by the Chief Minister to review arrangements for providing free transportation of deceased persons from public hospitals to their residences. During the meeting, the Chief Minister directed authorities to submit a comprehensive plan for launching dedicated government vehicle services at major public hospitals and in every tehsil across the province. It was also agreed in-principle to regulate private ambulance services, while proposals to fix standardized rates for private operators were reviewed. Secretary Emergency Services Dr. Rizwan Naseer briefed the meeting that at least one vehicle will be available in each tehsil to transport deceased persons from hospitals to homes. He further stated that families will be able to avail the free service either by calling 1122 or by requesting it at hospital help counters. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026