Established by the Qizilbash family, the cemetery is situated near the Lakshmi Chowk, opposite Empire Cinema.
On 11 January 1998 (8.15am PST), unidentified gunmen stormed the graveyard and opened fire on a congregation of people offering prayers.
The attack, believed to be motivated by sectarianism, resulted in 22 deaths and 51 injuries.
The shooting was condemned by Punjab's chief minister Shahbaz Sharif as a "most heinous and inhuman act of terrorism.
"[1] Several notable individuals are buried here, including first home secretary of Punjab Syed Ahmad Ali, film director Qamar Zaidi, Nasir Kazmi, Sayyid Sajjad Rizvi, Mushaf Ali Mir, singers Ustad Amanat Ali Khan, Asad Amanat Ali Khan, music composer Wajahat Attre and Janab Khan Sahib MIR EJAZ HUSSAIN, PCS, Retired Deputy Secretary, PUNJAB GOVERNMENT S/O MIR GHULAM MUSTAFA.