Tatsat Chronicle Magazine

Mother of Orphans, Philanthropist Bilquis Edhi Passes Away at 74

She was felicitated with various national and foreign awards including the Mother Teresa Memorial International Award for Social Justice (2015), and the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service, which she received along with her husband in 1986
April 16, 2022
Bilquis Edhi

Bilquis Bano Edhi, the wife of renowned humanitarian and philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi, passed away at the age of 74 on Friday after a month-long illness.

She was admitted to a hospital in Karachi for three days and was rushed there after her blood pressure had suddenly dropped. According to a spokesperson of the Edhi Foundation, Bilquis was suffering from “multiple ailments”. “She had heart problems in addition to lung issues,” the media outlet, The Dwan quoted him as saying.

The Indian embassy in Pakistan on Saturday expressed condolences on the passing away of philanthropist and humanitarian Bilquis Bano Edhi in Karachi.

The Indian embassy in Pakistan took to Twitter to share, “high Commission of India expresses its heartfelt condolences on the passing away of Bilquis Edhi. Hers and Edhi foundation’s humanitarian assistance is well appreciated across borders. RIP.”

Bilquis Edhi’s son Faisal Edhi said that the funeral prayers of his mother will be offered at the New Memon Masjid Kharadar after Zuhr prayers on Saturday.

Faisal added that Bilquis Edhi’s burial will be carried out at the Mewa Shah Graveyard as per her wishes.

“My mother’s efforts are not hidden from anyone and we will be carrying forward our mother’s mission,” said Faisal.

Earlier, Pakistan’s towering philanthropist and humanitarian was declared the ‘Person of the Decade’, along with human rights rapporteur of the UN Prof Yanghee Lee and the US ethicist Stephen Soldz.

Bilquis Bano Edhi is a professional nurse and she heads the Bilquis Edhi Foundation. She has spent more than six decades of her life serving humanity in need. Her charity has saved over 42,000 unwanted babies so far by placing “Jhoolas” [cradles] at the Edhi Homes and centres across the country.