The Chairman of Edhi Foundation and celebrated humanitarian, Abdul Sattar Edhi, passed away at the age of 92 in Karachi, on Friday night, Dawn reported.
Edhi was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2013 and had been receiving treatment at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation. He rejected former president Asif Ali Zardari’s offer for treatment abroad, insisting instead on getting it done in a government hospital in Pakistan.
Abdul Sattar Edhi had arrived in Pakistan in 1947 and opened his first clinic in 1951, motivated by a quest for justice and an aim to help the lesser privilege.
Dawn quoted his son, Faisal Edhi as saying:
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 rest of the organs were not in healthy condition.
He was revered as a national hero for creating a charitable empire out of nothing but private donations. Edhi was also nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize several times, including this year.
Edhi’s foundation also took care of the deaf and mute Indian girl, Geeta, who was found sitting alone on the Samjhauta Express at Lahore railway by Pakistan Rangers around 16 years ago, during her decade-long stay in the country before she returned to India.
Following her return, to thank the Edhi Foundation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced Rs 1 crore in donation, but Edhi politely rejected it.
Read the full story on Dawn.
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