US media pays tribute to Edhi

US media pays tribute to Edhi

WASHINGTON, July 10 (APP): Leading US publications paid tribute to Abdul Sattar Edhi, a Pakistani philanthropist who enjoyed a world fame for his charity work and had been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Washington Post, Wall Street Journal and the New York Times reported Edhi’s death, eulogizing him for his decades of services to the destitute through his huge network ‘Edhi Foundation.’ Edhi died at the age of 88 on Friday after a protracted illness.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced a state funeral for the iconic philanthropist which was attended by leading political, army and government officials, including President Mamnoon Husssain, Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif and the three services chiefs.

“If anyone deserves to be wrapped in the flag of the nation he served, it is him,” Prime Minister Sharif said in a statement.

His journey started from 1951, when Edhi started a small
medical aid service that ultimately became one of Pakistan’s
largest and most respected philanthropic services, wrote Wall Street Journal.

“Mr. Edhi personally worked in the field, helping victims of natural disasters and terrorism, until his health no longer allowed it.”

The WSJ highlighted his simple life and his wish to be buried in the same simple clothes he wore all his life. He also donated his organs.

He was a beacon of hope, and a humanitarian The Washington Post wrote.

“In the course of his lifetime, he had gone from being a refugee to running Pakistan’s most renowned philanthropic organization.”

Established in 1951, Edhi foundation is managing a chain of hospitals, orphanages, morgues, centers for those who are abandoned by their loved ones, centers for drug-addicted.

The foundation has nearly 2,000 ambulances.

Edhi lived a very simple life and his charity work was supported by millions of dollars in donations. He slept in a room attached to his foundation’s office for most of his life.

The New York Times said that Edhi’s name had become synonymous with charitable causes and who achieved an almost saintly status in Pakistan.

APP Services