Karachi: Legendary Philanthropist, Abdul Sattar Edhi, was laid to rest in Karachi after a state funeral, on Saturday.
State Funeral for Abdul Sattar Edhi was held at National Stadium Karachi which was attended by President of Pakistan, Mamnoon Hussain and other top leaders.
Coffin of Mr. Edhi was provided a 19-gun salute by the Pakistan Army before it was laid to rest in Edhi village, as per the will of late Abdul Sattar Edhi.
Founder of Edhi foundation, Abdul Sattar Edhi, 88, died in Karachi on Friday night after he faced problems in breathing in midst of a dialysis session. Mr. Edhi was receiving treatment at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) since 2013 when his kidneys failed to work.
He also wanted to donate his body parts, but only his cornea can be donated as the rest of his organs were not in a healthy condition – Faisal Edhi
Faisal Edhi, the son of Abdul Sattar Edhi told media about the will of his father, “He wished to be buried in the same clothes he used to wear. He also wanted to donate his body parts, but only his cornea can be donated as the rest of his organs were not in a healthy condition.”
This was the first time a state funeral was held in Pakistan since 1988 when former President and Military Dictator General Zia ul Haq died in a plane crash.
Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Nawaz Sharif, announced Edhi would be awarded Nishan-e-Imtiaz posthumously. One day national morning was also announced by PM in the country.
Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) governments declared three days of mourning over the death of Abdul Sattar Edhi.
Background
Dubbed as Richest poor man of Pakistan, Abdul Sattar Edhi was born in Gujarat India in 1928. He migrated along with his family to Pakistan in 1947.
Philanthropic work of Mr. Edhi started in 1951 which later took the shape of Edhi foundation.
With Edhi Foundation, Abdul Sattar Edhi managed to build the world’s largest network of Ambulances.
Edhi Foundation currently has Helicopters, Air Ambulances and more than dozen shelter homes all over the country.
Malala Reacts
Malala Yousafzai, Pakistan’s Youngest Nobel Laureate told BBC that no one deserves a Nobel Prize more than Abdul Sattar Edhi.
No one deserves a Nobel Prize more than Abdul Sattar Edhi – Malala Yousafzai
“As a Nobel Peace Prize winner, I hold the right to nominate people for the prize and I have nominated Abdul Sattar Edhi,” said Malala.
Tributes by People
Zubeda Jalal, former Federal Minister for Education, said that “Edhi Sahab even when leaving this world has left his mark where people rich and poor have started of thinking how they can individually be part of the philanthropy.” Edhi Sahab left us with a message that Be Human’s first, she added.
Dr. Ruqqaiya Sayeed Hashmi, MPA, told Balochistan Voices that Abdul Sattar Edhi has created a legacy which no one can replace in next 100 years to come.
“Love of Humanity by Mr. Edhi can be gauged form the fact that he announced to donate his eyes for a needy person before his death,” she said.
Abdul Sattar Edhi has created a legacy which no one can replace in next 100 years to come –Ruqqaiya Sayeed Hashmi
Dr. Hashmi suggested that PhD studies should be carried out on the life and services of Abdul Sattar Edhi.
Anwaar ul Haq Kakar, Spokesperson of Balochistan Government, said that Pakistan has lost a larger than life figure in the world of philanthropy but his rise to prominence shows the apathy of society at large. There is need of realization to work for humanity more than ever to move in that direction.
Jan Achakzai, senior analyst, told Balochistan Voices that “best lesson we need to take away from Edhi Sahib’s work is to continue with his legacy of helping out the vulnerable and the poor.” He continued “we should not just symbolically lionize him but practically appreciate him by donating in to his charity Edhi foundation, so that he lives on as an icon even after his death.”
Social Media Reactions
Unity at last:PML-N,PPP,PTI,MQM and other parties ledrs standing side by side along with security establishment in funeral prayer of Edhi sb
— Hamid Mir (@HamidMirGEO) July 9, 2016
Cant see any single negative tweet about him, every1 loves him jst because of his humanity & no doubt he was angel on Earth#Edhi #RIPEidhi
— Rubina Ibrahim Zehri (@zehriRubina) July 8, 2016
Such a beautiful picture. Captures a nations sentiments about the man. Rest in peace Edhi Sb. pic.twitter.com/fV3D6oZMcu
— Umer H (@TheUmerH) July 8, 2016
During #bloodshed in Balochistan, #Edhi‘s team proved to be #fire fighter, shifted thousands of #injured and dead to # hospitals
— Syed Ali Shah (@alishahjourno) July 9, 2016
