News
Edhi ‘The National Hero’ laid to rest with state honour
KARACHI: Abdul Sattar Edhi, the Pakistan’s obstinately humble hero, has been laid to rest in Edhi Village, the outskirt of Karachi, with state honour.
The Namaza-e-Janaza of legendary social worker was offered by a very large number of people here at the National Stadium on Saturday.
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 where there was a guard of honour as thousands paid tribute. Security officials said that a 21 gun salute was also offered.
Military Chief Raheel Sharif and Edhi´s son Faisal saluted the coffin as it was carried by soldiers.
But thousands of ordinary people who planned to attend the funeral were stopped several kilometres away from the ceremony for security reasons.
The funeral prayer was led by Maulana Ahmed Khan Niazi.
A state funeral was held for Abdul Sattar Edhi, the first to take place in the country in 28 years.
"If anyone deserves to be wrapped in the flag of the nation he served, it is him," Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said in a statement.
People from all walks of life including President Mamnoon Hussain, Chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabbani, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, DG ISPR, Core Commander Karachi, Governer Sindh Dr Ishrat Ul Ebad, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif, Sindh DG Rangers Maj General Bilal Akbar, Naval Chief Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, federal and provincial ministers, parliamentarians, politicians, artists and social workers attended the funeral.
Earlier during the day his body was brought at his Meethadar office, where his last funeral rites were performed by his son Faisal Edhi.
In his last act of kindness he donated all of his body organs. Because of his condition only his cornea will be donated. An operation to extract his cornea was conducted. Two people will benefit from it.
The humanitarian wished to be buried in the clothes he died. His family will honoured his wishes.
According to his wishes, Edhi, who donated his eyes after his death, has been buried in the Edhi Village, a shelter for the mentally impaired, abandoned women and the elderly, set up on the outskirts of Karachi.
He was buried at the Edhi Village where he had dug his own grave 25 years ago.
Floral wreaths were also laid on the grave of Abdul Sattar Edhi on behalf of President of Paksitan Mamnoon Hussain and Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif.
Courtesy www.thenews.com.pk
