Abdul Sattar Edhi
The man who dedicated his life to humanity
Abdul Sattar Edhi was Pakistan’s most selfless humanitarian and the founder of the Edhi Foundation, the nation’s largest welfare network.
Here’s a glimpse into the life and legacy of Abdul Sattar Edhi:
- Was born in Bantwa, India and arrived in Pakistan in 1947.
- Opened his first free clinic in 1951.
- In 1957, he bought his first ambulance, an old pickup truck.
- The Edhi Foundation, is now Pakistan’s largest humanitarian organization.
- Helped over 20,000 abandoned children and cared for 50,000 orphans.
- Received international honors like the Ramon Magsaysay Award, Lenin Peace Prize, and UNESCO Prize for Peace.
- Operated the world’s largest volunteer ambulance service.
- Never took a salary and served all people, regardless of religion or class.
- Built 330+ welfare centers across the country.
- Mr Edhi passed away on 8 July 2016 at age 88 due to kidney failure. Fulfilling his final wish, His corneas were donated to two blind people.
- He received a state funeral, one of only three people in Pakistan’s history to be given this honor.
"It is everyone's responsibility to take care of others, that's what being human means. If more people thought that way, so many problems could be solved"
- Abdul Sattar Edhi