A 'Shariat panchayat' has been set up in Punjab to decide on matters related to marriage, divorce and inheritance of the community.

The 'panchayat', which is claimed to be the first common platform for the community in the state since Independence, was formed at a Muslim conference here today.

The conference was organised by Punjab state Waqf board chairman Izhar Alam, who along with others, also formed a Muslim welfare and 'Shariat' society to look after the welfare of Muslims in the state.

"This was a first common platform formed by Muslims in Punjab after Independence," claimed Alam.

The society will also take up issues related to encroachments on Waqf properties and many other issues.

While addressing the conference Alam said the community in the state was faced with the shortage of space to bury its dead.

"At times they have to go as far as 30 km to perform the last rites while a number of times, they also wait for 2-3 days with the bodies to find some space in the nearest graveyard," the state Waqf chairman said.

"Graveyards is a major problem for the Muslim population in villages and this will be discussed with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on his visit to Malerkotla along with other issues," he said.

The state level Muslim conference was held at Dana Mandi here today.