Entire nation praying for Edhi's recovery: PM

LONDON: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday hailed the tireless efforts of Abdul Sattar Edhi and urged the nation to pray for his health, after reports that the renowned philanthropist was in critical condition and being treated in intensive care at a Karachi hospital.

In a statement from London where the prime minister is himself recovering from his recent heart surgery, Sharif lauded Edhi's services to humanity and claimed that very few people had served mankind like the Karachi-based philanthropist had his whole life.

"Edhi is the perfect example when it comes to serving humanity," said the prime minister. "May God be with him in this critical moment of his life."

The prime minister recognised Abdul Sattar Edhi's services by stating that his tireless efforts had saved thousands of lives in Pakistan. He said that Edhi deserved the same care that he had so selflessly given to the nation and its people.

PM Nawaz further said that the entire nation was praying for the recovery of the respected humanitarian.

Faisal Edhi, son of Abdul Sattar Edhi, announced earlier that his father was in critical condition and had been put on the ventilator at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT). He revealed that Edhi's kidneys had failed and that he had been encountering severe problems in breathing during his regular dialysis today, after which he was shifted to intensive care and put on the ventilator.

Faisal Edhi urged the nation to pray for his father's health and prolonged life.

The renowned humanitarian, who is the founder and chairman of the Edhi Foundation, was diagnosed with kidney failure three years ago but has since been unable to receive a transplant due to his poor health.

The Edhi Foundation is one of Pakistan's largest public welfare organisations and runs one of the biggest fleets of ambulances, and dozens of clinics and orphanages in the country.