KARACHI: Eminent social worker Dr. Ruth Pfau was laid to rest at the Christian Cemetery (Gora Qaburistan) here on Saturday afternoon with full national honours.
The burial was attended by President Mamnoon Hussain, Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Air Chief Air Chief Marshal Suhail Aman, Governor Sindh, Muhammad Zubair, Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, provincial ministers, representatives of political parties, German diplomats, besides people from various walks of life among others.
President Mamnoon Hussain laid floral wreath at the grave of the eminent social worker who spent almost 50 years of her life in fighting leprosy in Pakistan.
The wreath was also laid on behalf of Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi by the Station Commander.
Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Air Chief Air Chief Marshal Suhail Aman, Governor Sindh, Muhammad Zubair, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, also laid floral wreaths at the grave of Dr. Ruth Pfau who had died at a private hospital in Karachi on August 10 after a brief illness at the age of 88.
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had directed state funeral for Ruth Pfau in view of her immense services for the cause of leprosy patients in the country.
Earlier, her body wrapped in national flag was brought from the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre (MALC) to the St. Patrick’s Cathedral for the last funeral rites.
People, representing various walks of life, queued to have last glimpse of Dr. Ruth Pfau for some time. A 19-gun salute in her honour was also presented on the occasion.
Later, the body, placed on a gun carriage, was taken to the Gora Qaburistan for the burial with full national honours.
Strict security arrangements were made on the occasion.
Dr. Ruth Pfau, who came to Pakistan from Germany in 1962, devoted her rest of the life for the treatment of leprosy patients.
She was awarded a number of national honours by the Government of Pakistan. She was given Pakistani nationality in 1988.
