KARACHI: July 8,2018 marks the second death anniversary of Abdul-Sattar-Eidhi, the man who spent all his life in the service of humanity; collecting alms and begging on roads to gather funds for the charity organization that he founded. The legend philanthropist left this world for his heavenly abode on July 8, 2016.
He was the founder of Eidhi Foundation, a charity organization which runs world’s largest ambulance network. The man has died but his legacy lingers in form of charity networks, rehabilitation centers and home-shelters; providing roof and food to the down-trodden and needy.
He was born in 1928, in then United India. He later migrated to Karachi at the time of partition when he was just 20 years of age. What he started off as a free dispensary in 1950s turned out to be the largest charity organization of the country. He used to stand by roadsides with his charity box and since then people have been paying their alms and donation to him.
During initial days he drove only one ambulance while later in his life, as people’s trust in his persona advanced, the donations flooded in and the organization came out to own the world largest volunteer ambulance network.
The foundation runs around 300 welfare centers and around 8 hospital centers, along with child adaption centers.
During his last hours he advised that his body parts, of which at that time only eyes were functioning, owing to his ailing health, be donated to the needy patients.
He was opponent of orthodox clergy and politicians, and was ardent supporter of pluralism and religious tolerance.
In honor of his services he was awarded Nishan-e-Imtiaz by Government of Pakistan in 1989. He has been nominated for Nobel Prize several times.