Edhi’s way

Abdul Sattar Edhi was Pakistan’s greatest philanthropist, social activist, ascetic and humanitarian. Indubitably, he was the second most valuable asset of this nation after Quaid-e-Azam.

Edhi has left behind a great mission of humanitarianism. But it is uncertain whether we can be able to carry it forward given our rotten socio-economic system and corrupt political setup.

Edhi was an angel for thousands of deserted children, the poor, destitute, injured, socially discarded and even the dead. He unflinchingly devoted 60 years of his life to restlessly help the poorest of the country by providing them shelter, protection and food. His endeavours have so far given life and honour to thousands of abandoned children. Hopefully, his son Faisal Edhi will carry on the noble mission of his great father with devotion and commitment.

Abdul Sattar Edhi became this unmatchable philanthropist by the support of his mother. She encouraged him to spend some of his money and resources on the needy. When his mother became paralysed and later faced mental health issues, Edhi devoted himself to looking after all her needs. This instilled in him humanitarianism and he willingly adopted philanthropy as his career and as a sacred obligation for the rest of his life. Needless to say, the world is bereft of such remarkable dignitaries who have sacrificed their entire worldly life for the sole cause of the impoverished and needy people.

Since the establishment of the Edhi Foundation in 1974, the organisation has continued to serve the needy on a non-commercial, non-political, and non-communal basis without any discrimination of colour, class, gender and creed. It has picked up thousands of deserted children, especially girls, from literally garbage dumps, brought them up and inculcated in them the requisite trainings required for a decent life. Moreover, the cradles placed outside the Edhi centres have also saved the lives of thousands of newborn and abandoned children.

Our rotten society condemns these children to die, but the Edhi Foundation provides them a new life and makes them contributing members of the country. To bring these children up, Edhi himself used to sit along roadsides to collect money and food items without caring for the scorching summers or icy winters.

Edhi was aware of the selfishness of his countrymen. Unlike his fellow citizens, he could not stand to watch wounded people die after accidents or incidents of gun violence. He and his workers continued to provide ambulance facilities to the injured in the 1980s and 1990s in Karachi and Hyderabad, when people would not dare open their doors on account of continuous violence and bloodletting in both cities. Edhi never cared for his life while discharging his sacrosanct duty. Even today, the Edhi Foundation is busy days and nights shifting sick and injured people to hospitals irrespective of their cast, creed, religion and colour.

Because of the continued endeavours of Edhi, thousands of homeless, handicapped, thirsty and hungry people today find food, solace and care in homes and special centres set up by the Edhi Foundation. Sadly, old age centres of the foundation are full of the elderly who have been abandoned by their families.

Edhi also served humanity by providing free technical education to needy people to make them self-sufficient. A large number of students of the Edhi Foundation are working in different sectors in the country. Moreover, the foundation also provides free legal, financial and medical aid to prisoners languishing in our overcrowded prisons.

Edhi lived an exemplary and ideal life which is worth emulating for all Pakistani, especially for our politicians. Despite having millions of rupees at his disposal, he chose to live a simple, economical and modest lifestyle. He has left behind a two-room apartment, one pair of old-fashioned shoes and one pair of clothes. He utilised the finances of the foundation in such a way as to benefit the needy people to the maximum. Edhi’s method of using trust money is an example for our political leaders.

The writer is an independent researcher and columnist based in Karachi.

Email: ayazahmed6666@gmail.com

Twitter: @ayazahmed66665