President Mamnoon Hussain, COAS Raheel Sharif, Chief of Naval Staff, Air Chief, Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif attended funeral prayers of Edhi
KARACHI — Funeral prayer of Pakistan’s most loved person and renowned philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi was offered with state honor at National Stadium Karachi, after which he was laid to rest in Edhi Village in a grave that he prepared for himself around 25 years ago.
President Mamnoon Hussain, COAS Raheel Sharif, Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zakaullah, DG ISPR General Asim Saleem Bajwa, Chief Minister of Punjab Shehbaz Sharif, Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Member of National Assembly (MNA) Asad Umer, Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad, Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) Dr Farooq Sattar, Rangers (Sindh) Director General Major General Bilal Akbar and scores of others were present in the stadium.
Edhi’s coffin, wrapped in the green national flag and covered with pink rose petals, was carried on a military jeep into the national stadium in Karachi.
He was given guard of honour and gun salute by Pakistan Army before funeral prayers began. His funeral prayers were led by Maulana Ahmed Khan Niazi. Over 2000 policemen guarded the venue. Edhi’s family requested authorities to not block roads for the funeral.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced a state funeral and day of national mourning in honour of the man who owned just two sets of clothes, but whose work uplifting the nation destitute and orphans cemented his place in the hearts of Pakistan’s masses. PM also announced posthumous Nishan-e-Imtiaz for Abdul Sattar Edhi. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Sindh governments have announced three days of mourning each.
As the state carriage leaves the stadium 19 guns salute begins- #state funeral Edhi Sahib
— Gen Asim Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) July 9, 2016
The last time Pakistan held a state funeral was for military dictator General Zia ul-Haq in 1988.
Edhi has been nominated several times for the Nobel Peace Prize, and appears on the list again this year — put there by Malala Yousafzai, Pakistan’s teenage Nobel laureate.
General Raheel Sharif and Edhi’s son Faisal saluted the coffin as it was carried by soldiers.
The federal and provincial governments expressed grief and announced three days of mourning.
The prime minister announced Edhi would be awarded Nishan-e-Imtiaz posthumously.
Edhi’s story
Motivated by a spiritual quest for justice, over the years Edhi and his team created maternity wards, morgues, orphanages, shelters, and homes for the elderly, picking up where limited government-run services fell short.
He slept in a windowless room adjoining the office of his foundation furnished with just a bed, a sink and a hotplate.
Edhi told news agency in an interview earlier this year, ‘I have done a lot of work. I am satisfied with my life.’
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.
Edhi had pledged to donate his body organs. However, due to his long illness, his son has promised to donate only his eyes to any deserving person.
Edhi leaves behind his wife Bilquis and six children including son Faisal Edhi.
Pakistanis took to Twitter to mourn the death of a national hero many call a “living saint” and “Pakistan’s Mother Teresa”.
No one lives for ever but Edhi Shaib legacy will live on forever. What a privilege it was to have you in our life Sir #RIP #AbdulSattarEdhi
— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) July 9, 2016
I express my deep sense of grief on the demise of Abdul Sattar #EdhiSahab. He was a noble soul who dedicated his life in service of mankind.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 8, 2016
Karachi is waking up today as an orphan #Edhi #EdhiSahabYouWillBeMissed
— Mubashir Zaidi (@Xadeejournalist) July 9, 2016
A shining star has left all of us responsible to carry on the work he lived for. My thoughts & prayers are with #Edhi Sb & his family #RIP
— Shoaib Malik (@realshoaibmalik) July 8, 2016
#Edhi was Widely admired for his stubborn integrity — he only accepted private donations, refused government support https://t.co/RSweKhlPoi
— Mehreen Zahra-Malik (@mehreenzahra) July 8, 2016