Leading social activist Balqis Edhi has passed away

Well known social activist Abdul Sattar Edhi's widow and Balqis Edhi Foundation Chairperson Balqis Edhi has died at the age of 74 in Kar...

Well known social activist Abdul Sattar Edhi's widow and Balqis Edhi Foundation Chairperson Balqis Edhi has died at the age of 74 in Karachi.

 

Balqis Edhi has been ill for a few days. Photo: Courtesy Arab News

A statement issued by Abdul Sattar Edhi son Faisal Edhi said that Balqis Edhi has passed away and funeral prayers will be announced shortly.

Faisal Edhi said that she had been ill for a few days and as her condition deteriorated on Friday evening, Balqis Edhi was shifted to Vanity Liter, however, she could not recover.

He was admitted to hospital earlier this week.

 

Edhi Foundation spokesman Muhammad Bilal said at the time that she would remain in the hospital for a few more days until her health improved.

He said that Bilqis Edhi has a heart condition and has been bypassed twice before.

Balqis Edhi Social Worker

Balqis Bano Edhi was Abdul Sattar Edhi's widow, a nurse and one of the most active philanthropists in Pakistan for the last six decades and was the head of the Balqis Edhi Foundation.

His philanthropic work also includes cradles at Edhi Homes and Edhi Centers across the country, which saved the lives of thousands of homeless children.

Bilqis Edhi, also known as Mother Pakistan, was born in 1947 in Karachi.

She received the 1986 Ramon Magsaysay Award for public service with her husband as head of the Bilquis Edhi Foundation.

The government of Pakistan awarded her Hilal-e-Imtiaz for her services while India awarded her Mother Teresa Award in 2015 for taking care of Indian girl Geeta.

Last year, an international body called him a "figure of the decade", along with UN human rights envoy Professor Yang Yi Lee and American scientist Stephen Soldes.

Condolence messages

Expressing deep sorrow and grief over the demise of Balqis Edhi, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that Balqis Edhi continued the mission of the late Abdul Sattar Edhi to serve humanity.

He paid homage to Bilqis Edhi for her services and prayed for the patience of the mourners.

President Arif Alvi condolence statement on Twitter said, "I am saddened to hear of the demise of Balqis Edhi. Continued.

He prayed, "May Allah forgive her."

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed deep sorrow over the demise of Balqis Edhi and appreciated her social services.

He prayed for the reward of the deceased

National cricket team all-rounder Shadab Khan said in his message that his services to humanity will always be remembered.

Dawn columnist Nadeem Farooq Paracha said that a real Messiah should die.

Former national cricket team captain Shahid Afridi called Balqis Edhi the mother of countless orphans and said that she was the real face of humanity.

He said that Balqis Edhi was by his side in the welfare work of Abdul Sattar Edhi and continued his mission even after him.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Asifa Bhutto Zardari termed Pakistan as an irreparable loss and said that she served the people tirelessly and left an example of service behind her.

Addressing him, singer Qaratul Ain Baloch said, "You are an example and you are second to none. You and Edhi Sahib taught us humanity."

PPP Senator Sherry Rehman lamented the demise of Balqis Edhi and said that her services would never be forgotten.