Abdul Sattar Edhi was born on February 28, 1928, in Bantva, a town in the princely state of BantvaManavadar in British India. Raised in a Memon Muslim family, Edhi’s early years were marked by compassion and empathy, values instilled in him by his mother. At the tender age of 11, his mother, Ghurba Edhi suffered a debilitating stroke, rendering her physically and mentally impaired. This life-altering event compelled young Edhi to leave school and dedicate himself to her care, nurturing a profound sense of responsibility and altruism.
In 1947, amidst the tumultuous partition of India, Edhi and his family migrated to the newly formed Pakistan, settling in Karachi. The harrowing experiences during this period, coupled with the earlier challenges of caring for his ailing mother, profoundly influenced Edhi’s worldview, igniting a lifelong commitment to humanitarian service.
Upon arriving in Karachi, Edhi was deeply moved by the widespread poverty and lack of medical services. In 1951, he established a small free dispensary to provide basic healthcare to those in need. This modest initiative marked the inception of what would evolve into the Edhi Foundation. By 1957, Edhi had expanded its services, establishing his first welfare center and the Edhi Trust. Operating from a single room, the foundation began its journey towards becoming Pakistan’s largest welfare organization. In 1965, Edhi married Bilquis Bano, a nurse working at an Edhi Trust dispensary. Together, they had four children and formed a partnership dedicated to humanitarian service. Bilquis played a pivotal role in the foundation, particularly in managing the adoption of abandoned babies and running a free maternity home.
Also Read: Constable Killed, Another Injured in Attock Gun Attack
The Edhi Foundation’s growth was fueled entirely by private donations, reflecting the trust and respect Edhi garnered across Pakistani society. The foundation’s services encompass a vast array of humanitarian efforts, including the ambulance of the foundation; As of March 2021, the Edhi Foundation owns over 5,000 private ambulance vans stationed in areas across Pakistan. The ambulance dispatchers in Karachi, one of the busiest cities in Pakistan, have reported up to 6,000 calls a day, with the average response time for each incident falling within 10 minutes. It was also an Edhi ambulance that responded to and picked up the body of the American journalist, Daniel Pearl when he was killed in 2002.
The organization also owns two private jets and one helicopter to assist in moving victims from hard-to-reach locations, especially during the event of a natural disaster. In addition to land and air assistance, the Edhi Foundation also hosts 28 rescue boats to aid during floods and in cases of shipwrecks and disasters along the Arabian Ocean coast. Hospital services; The organization runs several private outpatient hospitals located in Pakistan. Additional medical facilities include a diabetic center, a nurse training center, immunization centers, and blood banks, including emergency banks during times of natural disasters or tragedies. Childcare services; Bilquis Edhi, co-head of the Edhi Foundation, is responsible for overseeing children's and women's services within the organization. Services he heads for children include the ‘Jhoola’ project, a child adoption center, and an abandoned children's welfare center. Jhoola is the Urdu word for "cradle", and refers to a baby hatch for abandoned children. These children are taken into custody and are taken care of, often being adopted by pre-screened families.
The Edhi Foundation has reached out to international communities and assisted with the setup of several offices overseas which assist with donations, fundraising, and especially financially aiding Pakistanis who have to be flown overseas for urgent medical attention. In addition to providing their regular services, the overseas foundation offices often help with community needs as necessary. In 2005, the Edhi Foundation provided $100,000 in aid to relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina.
In March 2020, the organization donated US$200,000 to the Iranian government to help it combat the Coronavirus epidemic plaguing the country. On April 23, 2021, Faisal Edhi, son of Abdul Sattar Edhi has offered to help India fight the Covid-19 pandemic by writing a letter to Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. Even when the Ex-PM of Pakistan Imran Khan, tested positive for coronavirus in 2020, the son of Edhi handed over a cheque for Rs 10 million for the Prime Minister’s coronavirus relief fund.
Throughout his life, Edhi faced numerous challenges, including being detained during international travels due to his appearance and attire. Despite these obstacles, his unwavering commitment to humanity earned him numerous accolades, such as the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service in 1986, the Lenin Peace Prize in 1988, the Nishan-e-Imtiaz in 1989, the Bacha Khan Peace Award in 1990, the Wolf of Bhogio Peace Award in 2005, and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Peace Prize in 2010.
Edhi’s unwavering dedication to serving humanity, regardless of race, religion, or social status, has left an indelible mark on Pakistan and the world. Edhi’s philosophy centered on the belief that “no religion is higher than humanity,” a principle he demonstrated through decades of selfless service.
In 2013, Edhi’s health began to decline due to kidney failure, necessitating lifelong dialysis. Despite his ailment, he refused offers for treatment abroad, choosing to receive medical care in Pakistan. On July 8, 2016, Abdul Sattar Edhi passed away at the age of 88. Still, his legacy continues through the ongoing work of the Edhi Foundation, led now by his son Faisal Edhi, who serving as a beacon of hope and compassion for future generations.
Here are some beautiful couplet by Allama Iqbal that aligns perfectly with Abdul Sattar Edhi’s selfless service to humanity:
خُودی کو کر بلند اتنا کہ ہر تقدیر سے پہلے
خدا بندے سے خود پوچھے، بتا تیری رضا کیا ہے؟
Another relevant verse from Iqbal:
یہی مقصودِ فطرت ہے، یہی رمزِ مسلمانی
اخوت کی جہانگیری، محبت کی فراوانی
These lines symbolize Edhi’s philosophy of universal love, compassion, and the unity of humanity, regardless of race, religion, or class.
