Gora Qabaristan Karachi

Gora Qabaristan Karachi also known as Gora Cemetery, is located in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. This cemetery is unique as it is the sole Christian burial. Situated along the main Shahrah-e-Faisal road, it is also referred to as Maseehi Qabraistan, which translates to Christian Cemetery. This cemetery houses around 2,000 graves, serving as the final resting place for approximately 300,000 Christians. There is also a Gora Qabaristan in Lahore.

The Karachi Christian Cemetery was initially consecrated in 1845 during the colonial era. Interestingly, near the main gate of the cemetery, there is a tombstone dating back to 1843. This burial ground spans approximately 20 acres. Following Pakistan’s independence in 1947, the British High Commission in Karachi extended an invitation to members of various Christian groups to establish the Karachi Christian Cemeteries Board.

In May 2002, the mutilated remains of American journalist Daniel Pearl were discovered in the cemetery, and the circumstances of how they ended up there remain a mystery. In 2016, it was reported that a staggering 300,000 individuals had been registered for burial in this cemetery. Remarkably, it only has enough space for approximately 3,000 graves, which implies that each grave has been utilized roughly a hundred times throughout its history.

Historically, the cemetery had been divided into two sections, one for Protestants and the other for Catholics, until around 1981. Subsequently, the separating wall between these sections was removed, and they were merged into one unified cemetery. The management of the cemetery falls under the responsibility of the Karachi Christian Cemetery Board. Unfortunately, over time, the condition of the cemetery has deteriorated.