US Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale Monday mentioned that in the United States, Edhi Foundation gave $100,000 for relief efforts related to Hurricane Katrina.
He said late Abdul Sattar Edhi has left behind a legacy of generosity, humility, and humanity and his loss will be felt throughout the world.
“We join the people of Pakistan and the Edhi family in mourning the passing of this great man,” Ambassador David Hale said in a statement.
The US Ambassador expressing his grief over the passing of Abdul Sattar Edhi said: “his compassion for humanity was reflected in every aspect of his life.”
Edhi came from humble beginnings and saw great suffering around him in his youth, and used those lessons to help others, he added.
He said in over sixty years of philanthropy, Edhi shaped charitable giving in Pakistan and with his wife Bilquis Edhi, created the Edhi Foundation, which has provided humanitarian assistance to hundreds of thousands of people in need, both in Pakistan and abroad.
Ambassador Hale said whether creating the world’s largest ambulance service, providing free and low-cost medical care, training nurses, or building rehabilitation and welfare centres throughout the country, Edhi’s life work was devoted to providing assistance and care anywhere there was a need.
Edhi must be respected by the media
The Pakistani media is one of Pakistan's most beloved man a proper farewell and tributes. Renowned philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi is revered in death as he was in life. Even days after his demise the media is still highlighting him for his work for humanity. Most channels like Dawn News, Geo News, etc.
However, as happens when one is emotional a reporter of Express News seemed to be overwhelmed with his job to cover the news of such a giant personality and in his emotions he reported lying inside the grave that was supposed to be Edhi Sahab's last resting place. This coverage evoked a lot of emotion on social media, as well as the foreign press with The Indian Express declaring in its headline "Deadly journalism: Pakistani journalist reports Edhi’s death from inside a grave" http://bit.ly/29J7sh1 or UK's Daily Mirror terming it as 'Sick' live TV news report from INSIDE dead man's grave sparks huge backlash” http://images.dawn.com/news/1175769
Such exuberant coverage reveals the lack of trainings and experience of the media personnel in the field, as well as the desk. Fortunately, Senior Journalist Fahd Hussain who is the Executive Director News for Express News immediately tweeted and regretted this episode. He promised that it would be investigated.
It would be better if our media was given proper training to handle different kinds of news and taught that ethics are also part of media training. All media houses should collaborate and design proper training sessions for their staff so that such gaffes are avoided in the future.
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