KARACHI: Bilquis Bano Edhi, the widow of renowned humanitarian and philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi, passed away at the age of 74 on Friday.
She had been suffering from cardiovascular disease and was admitted to a private hospital in Karachi for three days after her blood pressure suddenly dropped. Her son Faisal Edhi confirmed the sad demise of Bilquis Edhi. He told the media that the time of funeral prayer will be announced shortly.
She spent more than six decades of her life serving humanity in need. She leaves behind four children, Faisal, Kubra, Zeenat and Almas from her marriage with Abdul Sattar Edhi.
According to an Edhi Foundation spokesperson, Bilquis was ill for the last one month. He added that Bilquis had congestive heart failure and had already undergone heart bypass twice.
First Lady Tehmina Durrani had also visited her during Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s maiden visit to the port city on Wednesday.
Brief Profile
Bilquis Bano Edhi was named The Mother of Pakistan and and one of the most active humanitarian along with serving as co-chair of Edhi Foundation. She was born in 1947 in Bantva (Present-day India). At the age of 16, she received nursing training from Edhi’s nursing school.
She headed the Edhi Foundation and with her husband received the 1986 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service. In 2015, she received the Mother Teresa Memorial International Award for Social Justice.
Bilquis Edhi took over the management of the jhoolas (cradles) project where parents can abandon unwanted children . Together with her husband their charity has saved over 16,000 unwanted babies.
Condolences
President Arif Alvi expressed his condolences on the passing of Bilquis Edhi. “She had always been shoulder to shoulder with Abdul Sattar Edhi in his philanthropic efforts and continued his work even after his death. May Allah bless the departed soul,” tweeted the President House.
Sad to learn about the passing of Bilquis Edhi Sahiba. She had always been shoulder to shoulder with Abdul Sattar Edhi in his philanthropic efforts and continued his work even after his death. May Allah bless the departed soul.
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) April 15, 2022
PM Shehbaz Sharif also expressed sorry and said that Bilquis Edhi continued the humanitarian work of her husband. Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah expressed deep grief and sorrow over the demise and lauded her for the philanthropic works she did for the country.
The passing of Bilquis Edhi is a huge loss for the nation. An incredible woman in her own right, she stood by Edhi sb. like a rock & together they set up an example of human compassion & ran one of the largest philanthropic organisations of the world. May her soul rest in peace!
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 15, 2022
Renowned author Fatima Bhutto also expressed sorrow and mentioned that Bilquis served Pakistan’s poor and abandoned with great spirit her entire life. MQM-P Senator Faisal Subzwari said Pakistanis would remember her for eternity as he prayed for her forgiveness.
