Pakistan mourns Abdul Sattar Edhi's death

Philanthropist, social worker, a slogan of welfare and humanity, Abdul Sattar Edhi is no more.

The head of Edhi Foundation breathed his last at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) on Friday after kidney failure.

The philanthropist was brought to the SIUT after he had trouble in breathing and was subsequently put on ventilator.

Social media quickly lit up in honour of the man whose work uplifting the nation’s destitute and orphans cemented his place in the hearts of Pakistan’s masses.

Abdul Sattar Edhi passes away in Karachi

“He was a real gem and asset for Pakistan. We have lost a great servant of humanity.”

Others lauded him as “the greatest Pakistani”, calling his death a “national tragedy”.

Leading humanitarian and the most endearing person in the country Abdul Sattar Edhi passed away at the age of 92 in the late hours of Friday. Edhi had been suffering from kidney failure since 2013 and was on dialysis. According to his son, he could not undergo kidney transplantation due to his advancing years.

“Abbu is no more. He has gone back to his Creator,” said Edhi’s eldest son, Faisal Edhi, as he broke the news of his death to broadcast news media. Earlier in the day, Faisal had announced that Edhi has been placed on a ventilator due to his deteriorating condition.

“Edhi Sahib has been placed on a ventilator. He suffers from hypertension, is on dialysis, there is less food intake coupled with general weakness that he is currently suffering from,” he had said in an earlier media briefing.

The richest poor man

According to Dr Abhay – a medical officer at the ICU ward of the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) – Edhi passed away at around 11pm. He is survived by his wife Bilquis Edhi and four children – two daughters and two sons.

Later in a statement, the SIUT said Edhi was hospitalised on July 5 due to an infection. “But unfortunately due to a combination of new antibiotics