At 68 years of age, you are still a professional nurse and one the most active philanthropists in the country. Was philanthropy and nursing something that you always wanted to do with your life? Pursuing nursing and philanthropy as an adult was never on my mind when I was younger. All I know is that I had a soft heart. I can clearly recall how the boys on the streets, where I used to live, played cricket and other sports, and so every time their ball hit a bird, and it used to fall to the ground, I would immediately run towards that, hold it up, try to revive it, and if it died in my hands, I used to recite the kalma and bury it in the ground. I guess this was always in me. You share your birthday with Pakistan’s Independence Day. How patriotic are you? What does it mean to be Pakistani for you? I’m an extremely patriotic person. No matter where I go, my heart longs and yearns for Pakistan. My son is in the US and when I used to go meet him abroad, I missed my country sorely. It’s the place I can call my own. Tell us about your working partnership with Edhi Sahib. How did you divide work between yourselves? What has changed ever since his passing? You know my husband always said that the police, lawyers, doctors and those governing our country are indeed the ones who can bring Pakistan to its crest. They can truly make Pakistan a better place to live. I believe the capable and the able ones gave up on Pakistan a long time ago and went abroad. When my husband was alive and semi conscious, he used to tell us all how he wants to go to the border and just be there. When he was young, Muhammad Ali Jinnah used to visit the village where Edhi lived, and my husband used to chant slogans in favour of Jinnah. I guess Edhi missed that time of hope and positivity. We were friends more than we were a couple. Minds should be more compatible in a marriage than hearts. My husband used to say that opposition is always important in a career. If there is no one opposing you or trying to challenge your work, you will not be able to work to your maximum. He used to do all good to everyone and never once boasted about it. Whereas, I see our leaders doing little and making more noise instead. Edhi believed in helping all orphans get jobs, rather than making them dependent. He delegated me work and I delegated him in return. Such was our partnership; it was great and fun while it lasted. I had always been a very fun loving woman. I remember when we used to travel in villages, every time I saw a tube well, I would get in with all my female friends and have a great time. Edhi used to watch us from afar. After his passing, nothing really has changed because you see he was in the hospital for two years and Faisal, my son, was doing all the work on his behalf. My daughters are very sharp and clever and do all the nursing and caretaking diligently. How was Edhi sahib as a father? Are your children into philanthropy as well? In what ways do they intend to further Edhi Foundation now after his passing? He was a great dad. Our kids used to visit him all the time and have lunch with us. I have four children, two boys and two girls and all of them are exact copies of their father. So, my kids are looking after the Edhi Foundation now. They’re running it and if Allah willed, it will continue. Who did you grow up admiring the most in the field of philanthropy and why? Everyone is doing well in their own way. I’m always very involved in my own work and I like it like that. I never interfere in anyone’s business and never let anyone interfere in mine. You are a hero to more than 16,000 unwanted babies whose lives you saved, gave them a home, food and a good life. Tell us about any memorable incident during your years of philanthropy.? Yes, that’s true. There are a number of amazing stories but there are two incidents, which I believe I’ll never be able to forget. They’re not very merry to remember, but I’d still say that the time when my grandson Bilal was killed by these women who were living with us at the Edhi Centre. Some of them harboured terrible grudges against my daughter Kubra. A day before Eid, they took the five-year-old boy with them and burnt him with boiling water and acid. He succumbed to his injuries two months later. As much as it hurt us, my daughter’s whole personality completely changed after that. She just wouldn’t speak. There are people like that, and it’s hard to come to terms to what they do to you in hatred. There was this other time when I came across a lady doctor who told me she’ll look after the babies coming into Edhi Centre at her hospital. She turned out to be a child seller. I couldn’t believe this. I wanted to send all these people to jail, and I wanted them to pay for what evil they had done, but Edhi sahib told me to forgive them all, as Allah is up there, watching. He’ll give us justice. The Edhi Foundation is known all around the world and is the biggest emergency service in Pakistan. Tell us about some of the initial struggles and challenges that you faced when you ventured in philanthropy with the Jhoolas project. What makes Edhi Foundation so successful? I remember the time, when we started out, the illiterate people used to accuse us of housing illegitimate children. They used to hurl abuses and tell us how we’re meant to be in hell, etc. That was a difficult time. Only we knew, we were doing good to humanity and serving the innocent. It’s like Edhi sahib used to say, opposition is always good. It establishes your faith further and makes you work twice as hard. We never believed in revenge. We always had faith in Allah at all times. We started with one Edhi Centre car and look at us now. The Edhi Foundation has a successfully-running office in London as well. Who looks after that? Faisal looks after our office in London and the US, along with an accountant of ours. Do you take time out for yourself? What do you do in your spare time? Of course, I do. I read newspapers and watch a lot of TV. I go shopping, I attend weddings! Edhi Foundation is considered the largest philanthropic organisation in the world? Where do you see it in the next 10 years? Do you intend on its expansion internationally? Right at the top. This centre is a tree which is very strong and is bearing fruits. Edhi sahib planted this. All my family is involved in this beautiful service. My daughters and my daughter-in-law work here more than I do. Has the government ever approached you to join hands with Edhi Foundation and work for children and orphan’s welfare? We never take alms and funds from the government. Our work is based on simplicity. You and Edhi sahib have received a number of awards in recognition of your work. Which according to you has been your biggest achievement to date? I’m his wife and have learnt everything from him. I was a wild child, quite temperamental and hard to tame. My husband changed me completely. I take pride in only that. Why do you choose to live such a simple life when you could be out travelling the world and be living in luxury? There’s peace in living like this. I am satisfied. I don’t want a fake and a worldly life. “I was a wild child, quite temperamental and hard to tame. Edhi sahib changed me completely. I take pride in only that” We at Daily Times, consider you one of our national heroes. Who are some of yours? Dr Adeeb Rizvi. He is so patient and a man of calibre just like my late husband. I remember the time when he was treating Edhi sahib. All his subordinates used to regard him highly. His demeanour is so impressive and knows his craft through and through. Edhi sahib used to lose his call during his treatment as he was in so much pain, and sometimes he used to vent his anger on Dr Rizvi. But doctor sahib was patient and understanding. Achievements A Revered Philanthropist Bilquis Edhi is a professional nurse and one of the most active philanthropists in the country. She has been named The Mother of Pakistan. Her charity runs many services including a hospital and an emergency service in Karachi. National & International Recognition Bilquis Edhi heads the Edhi Foundation, and with her husband has received the 1986 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service. In 2015, she received the Mother Teresa Memorial International Award for Social Justice. Record-setting Service The Edhi Foundation which is now headed by Bilquis is also included in the Guinness World Records as the biggest organisation in the whole world.