Tehmina Durrani calls for state funeral for Abdul Sattar Edhi

Tehmina Durrani, social activist and author and wife of Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has appealed to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to order a state funeral and national salute for Pakistan’s greatest humanitarian and most loved social worker Abdul Sattar Edhi in recognition of the services of a great patriot who served his nation to the very end of his time on the earth.

In an open letter to the PM and other senior officials of the federal and provincial governments, Durrani wrote: “The government of Pakistan will hopefully act with the same generosity of spirit, as did Edhi Saheb, in carrying the burden of the poor, (which consecutive governments have found too heavy to carry) every single moment that he walked upon this earth. At least when he is no more, it is time to the people ‘it’ rules, and ‘he’ served.

“It is therefore predictable for the citizen of Pakistan to EXPECT the Prime Minister, the President, Governors, Chiefs of the Armed Forces, Chief Ministers of all provinces, the entire Political Leadership, and public representatives, to be present to bid farewell and thank the man who quietly carried ‘their’ cross on his own bare shoulders.

“It is a time to bow our heads and acknowledge Edhi Saheb. Mr Prime Minister, please prepare your government for: A State Funeral with a Twenty-One-Gun Salute; Pakistan flag at half-mast; Three days of mourning; Annual holiday to remember and celebrate Edhi Saheb’s exemplary life and work; Edhi saheb’s humanitarian philosophy, his message of simplicity, and his method of work, be made a compulsory subject on the academic curriculum; and the highest Abdul Sattar Edhi award for service to mankind.”