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Humanitarianism

still alive: Edhi

KARACHI: The founder and the Chief of the Edhi Foundation, Maulana Abdus Sattar Edhi said here on Monday that the humanitarian feeling was very much alive in the people in Pakistan, and despite all the decadence that is growingly overcoming the society, there are people who want to do something good for the nation and the country.

An example of willingness to contribute was when he spread a 'chaddar' at a main thoroughfare in Lahore and sought public contribution for a child who needed urgent cancer treatment. He said that within 24-hour a sum of Rs 10 million was collected for the cancer-stricken child and given to him for his treatment.

Thjis was a shining example of the spirit of humanitarianism that is still alive. However, he regretted that honesty was on the decline and confidence among different sections of the people was also being eroded.

He said that he had also been subjected to many threats and even death, while he was threatened that his son would be killed. He said that in the previous government 23 Edhi ambulances and other vehicles were burnt while seven persons associated with Edhi were killed. His son was also fired upon. But, he said, he did not lose heart nor was afraid and kept working with vigour.ÑUPP