KARACHI, Pakistan: The nation is in mourning on Saturday over the death of Abdul Sattar Edhi, renowned philanthropist and Edhi Foundation Chairman who died last night in Karachi after a protracted illness.
The 88-year-old Eid was suffering from kidney failure, high blood pressure and diabetes. He was shifted to intensive care unit (ICU) of Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation last evening and was on ventilator after deterioration of his health.
President Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif, federal ministers, political parties leadership and people from all walks of life expressed deep grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Abdul Sattar Edhi.
The prime minister announced one-day of mourning, Nishan-i-Imtiaz posthumously and a state funeral for late Abdul Sattar Edhi. The Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments also announced three days of mourning.
Edhi’s funeral prayer will be held on Saturday after Zuhr prayers at the Memon Masjid in Karachi whereas he will be laid to rest at the Edhi Village.
In a twitter message, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt General Asim Bajwa said that Abdul Sattar Edhi will be laid to rest with full state honour and dignity.
“Arrangements are being made for state funeral of late Edhi Sahib,” Bajwa said.
Bajwa said that security by Army, Rangers and Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) is being arranged at the funeral of the legendary human rights activist. He said that gun salute will also be part of his funeral ceremony.
Edhi was the most renowned philanthropist not only in Pakistan but around the world as well. He had been operating the largest ambulance service in the world and had started from humble means.
Abdul Sattar Edhi had also established an orphanage which cared for orphans, the needy and the destitute. He provided service to humanity without regard to cast, race, creed, religion or ethnicity.
For his Public Services, Abdul Sattar Edhi received the 1986 Ramon Magsaysay Award and was also the recipient of the Lenin Peace Prize and the Balzan Prize.
In 2006, Institute of Business Administration Pakistan conferred an honoris causa degree of Doctor of Social Service Management for his services.
In September 2010, Edhi was also awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Bedfordshire. In 1989, Edhi received the Nishan-e-Imtiaz from the Government of Pakistan.
