LAHORE: The civil society organisations and citizens from different walks of life paid rich tribute to late philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi for their services in favour of needy people. In reference to Abdul Sattar Edhi, candlelight vigil and prayer ceremonies were held across the provincial capital by the government and non-government organisations. Abdul Sattar Edhi died at 88 due to renal failure in Karachi on Friday. The civil society expressed deep sense of sorrow at the demise of Edhi and remembered his services for the common man of Pakistan in golden words. The civil society would also hold a candlelit vigil to pay tributes to Edhi at Charring Cross, The Mall, today (Sunday). The City District Government Lahore on the occasion placed portraits of Abdul Sattar Edhi at three points of the city, including Liberty Roundabout, The Mall and Charring Cross, where people came and kept red roses in front of the portrait to show their solidarity with the mission of Edhi. A candlelit vigil was held at Liberty Roundabout to pay tribute to the social worker on the occasion of his death. During the ceremony, Advisor to Punjab Chief Minister Khawaja Ahmad Hassan, MPA Imran Nazeer and people from different walks of life participated. They said that Edhi devoted his entire life for the needy people without any discrimination, which would be long remembered. They said the announcement of his death triggered a wave of tributes on media, which indicated the love of masses that the noble man enjoyed. They prayed for the departed soul and extended sympathy with his near and dear ones. Civil Society Network President Abdullah Malik said that Abdul Sattar Edhi was a great human being and served the humanity throughout the country as well as the world. He said, “Today Pakistan lost a great human rights activist who was a symbol of humanity.” The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) also expressed profound grief over the death of legendary philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi. FPCCI President Abdul Rauf Alam said, “We have lost our most beloved angel of mercy who was a ray of hope for the poor as he was running world’s largest ambulance service, as well as nursing homes, orphanages, clinics and women’s shelters, along with rehabilitation centres and soup kitchens across the country.” In a joint statement with FPCCI’s Senior Vice President Khalid Tawab, United Busniess Group Secretary General Zubair Tufail said, “We have lost a great servant of humanity; he was the real manifestation of love for those who were socially vulnerable, impoverished, helpless and poor. Ahmadiyya spokesperson expressed deep grief and sympathy over the tragic incident of Abdul Sattar Edhi. A spokesman of Jamaat Ahmadiyya Pakistan expressed grief over the death of the renowned social worker, and said that his death is a great loss to Pakistan. Quran Khawani was held for late Abdul Sattar Edhi at all centres of Edhi Foundation on Saturday. According to Edhi Foundation spokesman, hundreds of people including women participated in the ceremony. They paid glowing tribute to the great philanthropist and appreciated his works for the needy and ailing humanity. His services could never be forgotten, the participants added. Absentee funeral prayers would be held for Edhi at 11am at Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park today (Sunday).