KARACHI, 5 February 2005 — Abdus Sattar Edhi, a social worker, is perhaps the most famous Pakistani of the present era. His Edhi foundation accepts donations only from Pakistanis (the only exception was a helicopter donated by the US government). He gets about one billion rupees in donations every year and provides free services to millions in the area of health care, sustenance, education etc.
If there’s an accident or a bomb blast, Edhi ambulances and helicopter are the first to reach the site. All Pakistanis hold Edhi in high esteem. But he is not without controversy. The MQM and Jamaat-e-Islami can’t stand him. Some religious people have denounced Edhi for helping babies from unwed mothers get adopted. Critics have accused Edhi of pretending to be simple yet sending his sons to study in the United States.
I met Edhi in his Kharadar office. Sitting on a big table, Edhi looked frail and old. It was hard to imagine that this second grade dropout had set up the most efficient charitable institution in the country. Edhi, who started life as a street vendor, selling pencils, cannot speak English. His Urdu is also punctuated with a heavy Gujrati accent.
Opposite to Edhi was sitting a young woman with money in her hand (50,000 rupees). “Please accept this Mr. Edhi. My father gave me the money as my wedding present but I want to give it to you. In two years when I complete my law degree, I would like to work for you.”
There was also a sign that amused me. It was, obviously meant for the workers: “No high heel shoes or makeup. Dress simply, work hard.”
Why aren’t Muslims in general involved in charitable work?
Edhi says bitterly: “Muslims today are only very punctual about praying. They don’t give zakah and nobody cares about Huququl Ibad (rights of the human beings). Our educational institutions and madrasas have stopped producing good human beings.
“Muslims have now even divided their mosques.”
What is the biggest challenge Edhi faces in his social work?
“I’m constantly harassed by the bureaucracy and asked for bribes. They say, ‘Come on Edhi, you get a lot of money, share it with us’. Recently I renewed the lease of a property. Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s leasing officer asked me for a bribe of 80,000 rupees. ‘Even if President Musharraf comes to your rescue, we’ll find some technical fault with it,’ he told me. My experience is that the educated class is the most corrupt and immoral. Many do not accept me as a social worker. President Musharraf accepts me. I can make a phone call and he will take the bureaucrats to task but how many calls can I make? There are people who would like me to leave Pakistan. I left once, but only because under Nawaz Sharif’s tenure I was being forced to enter politics and my life was threatened. I may have to leave again.
“Former Indian Prime Minister I.K. Gujral told me once, ‘you were born in India you should come back.’
“I demand nothing from the government except tax exemption and the freedom to do my work without harassment. I get enough donations. If I want I can collect some 20 million rupees on the streets of Lahore in a day. Punjabis have always donated generously followed by Urdu speakers.
“Unfortunately many hate me. The MQM, the Jamaat-e-Islami. I cannot go to Lalukhet. They’ve attacked my car and abused me. These organizations are jealous of my success. They don’t like that I get so much donation. There is a lot of corruption even in charity institutions. I am very strict. I’ve caught 1,500 cases of petty thefts in one year.
“Some of my ambulance drivers were overcharging families. There were cases where the person accepting cash and jewelry was not entering it correctly.”
I drew his attention to what critics say about his sons. “My sons studied abroad. But they now work for me. They are equally honest and hard working. They don’t even own a home. I started my work alone in the early 50s, volunteers joined me later. I stood on the road and begged for money. I worked very hard, driving ambulances, picking up dead bodies from the streets, taking dying men to hospitals. Their children come to me today with donations. Edhi foundation’s accounts are audited every year. I’ve done no wrong. I own nothing, I do charity work for Allah’s pleasure and I’m 100 percent satisfied. My children are carrying on my work.”
What kind of a husband is Edhi?
Bilqees, his wife, says: “A wonderful man. I’ve found only happiness with him.”
