Daily Times

KARACHI: The death of Pakistan’s greatest philanthropists and humanitarian, Abdul Sattar Edhi, has plunged his organisation into a financial crisis as the flow of donations has significantly declined.

Faisal Edhi, son of late humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi, told Daily Times that Edhi Foundation faced a growing decline in donations after his father’s death.

“It is certain that Abdul Sattar Edhi did a superb job in handling the organisation and managing its financial affairs. He founded this organisation to help everyone. After his death, individual zakat contributions and other donations have gone down by 40 percent both at national and international level,” he said.

Anwer Kazmi, an official of Edhi Foundation, said the donations received so far this year were not enough to meet all the expenses.

“The donations have not been according to our expectations. They have decreased by 40 percent as compared to the donations this foundation received when Abdul Sattar Edhi was alive. There was a drop of 30 percent in hide collection during the Eidul Azha as well,” he said.

According to the officials, Edhi foundation aims at launching new developing programmes for the betterment of the needy. “Edhi Foundation plans to inaugurate a nursing training centre at Musa Lane. It will be inaugurated very soon,” the official said.

“Moreover, 120 modern ambulances are being imported from China at a cost of Rs 1.5 million each. They will improve the existing coverage we provide to the patients in all the cities,” he said.

“To operate the ambulance service, paramedical staff and trained medical teams have already been hired. The ambulances will work round the clock to rescue the injured. An air ambulance is also to be bought to provide people with fast and instant service,” he said.

Kazmi hoped that the financial crisis would soon be over. “It is natural that people are shocked over the death of late Abdul Sattar Edhi. Things will improve over time,” he said.

Published in Daily Times, October 6^th 2017.