Pakistani philanthropist, social activist, humanitarian and ascetic Abdul Sattar Edhi passed away after a long battle with kidney disease. He was 88.
He was famously known as Pakistan’s ‘Father Teresa’, Angel of Mercy and was Pakistan’s most respected figure for his humanitarian work.
About Abdul Sattar Edhi
- Edhi was born in 1928 to a family of memon traders in Bantvain Gujarat (then undivided India). During partition he had migrated to Karachi, Pakistan.
- In 1951, he started his welfare mission by opening his first home for homeless and sick in the Kharadar area.
- Edhi Foundation: He was the founder and head of the Edhi Foundation, which is known for its humanitarian work in Pakistan, South Asia and across the World.
- He ran the foundation successfully for over 6 decades. It provides a range of free humanitarian services including ambulance, children services, hospitals, orphanages, refugee assistance, old-age homes, educational services, morgues, food banks, de-addiction centres, etc.
- The foundation runs one of the world’s largest ambulance services and has fleet of over 1500 ambulances providing services for the needy.
- Indian Connection: He was born in undivided India. In October 2015, Indian Government had coordinated with Edhi foundation to bring back Geeta (hearing and speech impaired girl) who had strayed across the border in Pakistan 15 years ago.
- Autobiography: “Abdul Sattar Edhi, an autobiography: A mirror to the blind”.
- Awards and Honours: Nishan-e Imtiaz (Pakistan’s highest civilian honour), Pakistan Civil Award, Ramon Magsaysay Award, International Balzan Prize, UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Prize (2007), Gandhi Peace Award (2007) and London Peace (2011) Award.