Daily Times

KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has decided to issue commemorative coins of Rs 50 in honour of iconic social worker Abdul Sattar Edhi who passed away last week.

SBP Governor Ashraf Mahmood Wathra announced this while addressing a condolence gathering to pay tributes to late Abdul Sattar Edhi on Saturday. Faisal Edhi, son of Abdul Sattar Edhi, philanthropists, representatives of financial sector and senior management of the central bank attended the event.

Paying tributes to the celebrated humanitarian, the SBP governor said that developing countries generally face lack of welfare facilities and private sector in such countries filled the void. He complemented late Abdul Sattar Edhi for being among the first ones to come forward for the cause of humanity in the country.

“Though there was no dearth of welfare organisations in the country but he stood apart with the rest of organisations as he did not seek elaborate gatherings for fund raising, rather he depended upon common people of Pakistan for the purpose,” the governor maintained. He recalled that services rendered by Edhi had been recognised locally as well as internationally. He felt proud of being a member of the Jinnah Society when it conferred an award on Edhi for his outstanding services. He urged upon the members of financial services, presidents of commercial banks and other high ranking officials to come forward and fully cooperate with the Edhi Foundation and other social welfare organisations under ‘corporate social responsibility’ thus enabling them to continue serving the masses.

Recounting services of Edhi, Jinnah Society President Liaquat Merchant said that Edhi was at the forefront to serve humanity in any eventuality. “He was a legend in his lifetime and people like him were born in 100 years time.” Pakistan Banks Association Chairman Aftab Manzoor called late Edhi as the greatest humanitarian and beacon of hope in face of every distress and calamity.

Faisal Edhi said, “Although he [Edhi] has gone but his memories and mission are with us.” He said Sikhs, Christians, Hindus as well as Muslims belonging to various sects prayed together for eternal peace of the departed soul. “I am sure that his mission cannot be stopped.” Later, he requested the public to donate Rs 1 each for purchasing 100 large ambulances. He said that mission of resource generation would be started from the Quaid’s mausoleum. He also requested the public to start donating their body organs and participate in a scheme being launched by the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT).