KARACHI: Thousands of people, including high-profile politicians and government officials, gathered at the National Stadium on Saturday to attend the funeral prayers of Abdul Sattar Edhi – Pakistan’s most celebrated humanitarian who passed away last night in Karachi.
Edhi’s funeral prayers were offered after Zuhr prayers at the National Stadium after which he was given a guard of honour and a 19-gun salute by the Pakistan Army.
His body was then taken to the Edhi village, where was laid to rest.
Strict security measures were taken for the funeral attended by President Mamnoon Hussain, chiefs of all three forces, General Raheel Sharif, Naval Chief Admiral Zakaullah, PAF Chief Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Governor Dr. Ishratul Ibad, chairman Senate Raza Rabani, Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, and other political and social dignities.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced a state funeral and a day of national mourning while Punjab and Sindh Chief Ministers announced three day of mournings in honour of the man who owned just two sets of clothes, but whose work of uplifting the nation’s destitute and orphans cemented his place in the hearts of Pakistan’s masses.
“We have lost a great servant of humanity,” PM Nawaz Sharif said in a statement.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, President Mamnoon Hussain, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif, all four provinces’ Governor and Chief Minister have expressed deep condolence over death of Abdul Sattar Edhi, whereas political and social leaders and others belonging to all walks of life appreciated Sattar’s services for humanity.
While expressing deep sorrow over death of Abdul Sattar, PM Nawaz Sharif said Sattar has changed the life of Pakistani public saying he saved thousands of lives through tireless efforts whereas he was simple man despite all achievements. PM also announced posthumous Nishan-e-Imtiaz for Abdul Sattar Edhi.
According to ISPR spokesman, COAS Raheel said in a condolence statement that today nation has been deprived of a great human.
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq expressed his deep grief and sorrow over the sad demise of great servant of humanity, legendary social worker, noble soul, savior of destitute and true asset of Pakistan, Abdul Sattar Edhi.
In his message Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has said that we have lost the prodigious human but his legacy of serving humanity will never be ended. “Edhi’s contribution to social welfare is irreplaceable. His efforts will always be remembered”, he added.
Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed Abassi also expressed his condolences and eulogized services of late Edhi for humanity.
Chairman PPP Bilawal-Zardari Bhutto has expressed grief over death of Sattar and said Sattar was Pakistan’s identification, admitting it he rendered service for humanity without discrimination whereas today millions of people have become orphan.
Governor Sindh Dr. Ishratul Ibad said the gap would never be filled which had left Edhi Sahib, saying he was Pakistan’s recognition whereas CM Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah said in his statement that Edhi’s services for humanitarian will be written in golden words in history adding he was eco-friendly and was unbiased.
PTI chief Imran Khan has said that Edhi Sahib spent all his life in service of humanity
Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Senator Sirajul Haq also expressed deep grief and sorrow over death of Abdul Sattar.
Pakistan Awami Tehreek chief Dr Tahirul Qadri, former chief minister of Punjab, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid-e-Azam leader Chaudhry Pervez Elahi have also expressed sorrow. Elahi said that late Edhi showed path to the nation to help others.
PTI s vice-chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that there is not a single person on the face of Earth who would deny Edhi’s contribution to humanity.
Leader of the Opposition in Sindh Assembly Khawaja Izharul Hassan said that he refused to go abroad for treatment.
Pak Sarzameen Party’s chief and former mayor of Karachi, Mustafa Kamal said that people trusted late Edhi with everything and knew that he would be there in their need, if not anyone else.
“He was the real manifestation of love for those who were socially vulnerable, impoverished, helpless and poor. This loss is irreparable for the people of Pakistan.”
Edhi leaves behind his wife Bilquis and four children including son Faisal’
Abandoned children and the elderly, battered women, the disabled, drug addicts; Edhi s foundation now houses some 5,700 people in 17 shelters across the country.
The most prominent symbols of the foundation — its 1,500 ambulances — are deployed with unusual efficiency to the scene of extremist attacks that tear through Pakistan with devastating regularity.
He was so widely respected that armed groups and bandits were known to spare his ambulances.
