ISLAMABAD: The Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) on Monday held an event to pay tribute to the late founder of the Edhi Foundation, Abdul Sattar Edhi.

Speaking at the reference titled the ‘Richest Poor Man, Abdul Sattar Edhi’, Rural Support Programmes Network (RSPN) Chairperson Shoaib Sultan Khan said Edhi established his foundation for charity work without any support.

He said: “Edhi did it all alone. Even when he had just one ambulance, he would reach anywhere he was needed in Karachi to move people to the hospital. Even when a curfew was imposed and law enforcement officials would tell him to go, he was not disheartened.”

Mr Sultan Khan said Edhi was happy living his life for others and that the poor would also make donations to his charity.

SDPI Execitive Director Dr Abid Qayym Suleri said continuing with Edhi’s work was the best way to pay tribute to him. He said SDPI will take the lead in continuing with the late philanthropist’s legacy and would conduct empirical research on his model of social service.

“Edhi’s life is a model for all of us and there is great need for more people like him,” he said.

Also speaking at the event was Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy’s Executive Director Shazia Maqsood who said Edhi’s life was an example for all.

“According to some research, Pakistanis are among the most generous in the world. We should give our donations to organisations instead of to beggars on traffic signals because that money can be used to solve greater issues,” she said.

“Edhi would help people without discriminating on the basis of cast, colour or religion,” she said.

Deputy Chief Edhi Foundation Islamabad Zone Javed Dar said people trusted Edhi because he was honest.

Edhi could collect millions in a couple of hours, which shows how much people trusted him.

“One time, Edhi stood to collect donations on Mall Road in Lahore and within a few hours had collected $400,000,” he said.

The Edhi Foundation has 180 ambulances in Islamabad and Rawalpindi only, which reach where they are needed in between five to 10 minutes, he said.

“People trust in the Edhi Foundation more than they do government services,” he added.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly paid tributes to Abdul Sattar Edhi.

In a resolution, the house said: “Abdul Sattar Edhi was the epitome of selflessness, sacrifice and service to humanity.”

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2016