LAHORE: City District Government Lahore on Monday arranged a torch bearers’ rally from Quaid-e-Azam Library, Bagh-e-Jinnah to Chairing Cross to pay homage to great philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi.
The rally was led by District Coordination Officer Captain (Retd) Muhammad Usman. A large number of people from all walks of life were present to pay tribute to founder of Pakistan’s largest charitable organization and world’s largest ambulance service.
They also arranged candlelit vigil at Chairing Cross where large portraits of Abdul Sattar Edhi were present on which people showered rose petals to express their love for him.
DCO said the reason for holding the rally was to remember the contribution of great man who selflessly worked to change lives of poor. ”Edhi was the Messiah for the poor and we pledge to continue his mission,” he said.
“By making films on Edhi Sahab, our coming generation may be able to know about the great man,” he said.
DCO said that Edhi’s legacy will only continue if we continue the mission of serving humanity. “As Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sahrif has announced the naming one of Lahore’s main road after our icon Abdul Sattar Edhi, we are reviewing different proposals and the decision will be made by Shehbaz Sharif,” he said.
He said Abdul Sattar Edhi was friend of the poor and his message of love for humanity will be remembered forever. DCO said that he was a great person and real hero of Pakistan and his tireless contribution for the welfare of the poor will be written in golden words in history.
At the end of rally, special prayer was offered for the departed soul. The participants of the rally chanted slogans ‘Ambassador of humanity’ and ‘Long-live Edhi’.
Ahmed Naveed, 13-years-old was also holding a banner of Edhi and running along torch bearers rally. He said he has seen a lot about the work of Edhi on TV screens and heard he was the good person who helped poor. “This is how I am paying tribute by uplifting Edhi’s picture to that Chowk (Chairing Cross). I feel good and the determined to follow in his footsteps,” Ahmed said.
In the rally, contingents of civil defense, rescue 1122, Edhi ambulances, town administrators, city’s assistant commissioners and other officials were present.
People were holding banners and placards inscribed with statements for Abdul Sattar Edhi who was laid to rest in Karachi with state funeral attended by country’s top civilian and military leadership.
‘No religion is better than humanity’ – Edhi’s famous quote was inscribed on a large banner with the portrait of Abdul Sattar Edhi.