With a Personal Recollection from Sost, Upper Hunza
By Syed Shams Uddin
July 8, 2025, marks the ninth death anniversary of Abdul Sattar Edhi, the unparalleled humanitarian whose selfless devotion to serving humanity remains a glowing beacon in a world often marked by indifference. Referred to lovingly as the “Angel of Mercy,” Edhi Sahab redefined what it meant to live a life of compassion, humility, and service beyond self.
The Man Who Belonged to Everyone
Born in 1928 in pre-partition India, Edhi migrated to Pakistan with little but a burning desire to help the helpless. From driving a single ambulance through the streets of Karachi to establishing the Edhi Foundation, the largest volunteer ambulance network in the world, his life was a continuous act of grace.
What set Edhi apart was not just the scale of his philanthropy, but the purity of his intent. He served people without prejudice—regardless of their race, faith, social standing, or nationality. Whether it was an abandoned infant, a mentally ill wanderer, or a flood victim—he made no distinction.
(First from right is the legendary humanist Abdus Sattar Edhi, in the middle Chaudhry Ghulam Mustafa, while on the left is Syed Shams Uddin.)
The Reach of His Compassion: A Visit to Upper Hunza
It was in the early 1990s that I had the unforgettable honor of meeting Abdul Sattar Edhi during his visit to Sost, the last town on the Pakistan-China border in Upper Hunza. At a time when very few public figures ventured so far into the rugged mountains, Edhi Sahab's presence in Sost was not just heartening—it was profoundly symbolic.
He came quietly, without fanfare, and spent time meeting the local community, checking on welfare conditions, and observing the lives of people dwelling at the periphery of civilization. I had the privilege of being photographed with him during this rare visit—a moment I deeply cherish to this day, not as a personal achievement, but as a memory of standing beside a soul so genuinely devoted to humanity.
The Immortal Legacy of Edhi Foundation
From humble beginnings, the Edhi Foundation expanded to include more than 1,800 ambulances, multiple orphanages, hospitals, rehab centers, morgues, and homes for the destitute. His organization was always first to respond during natural disasters, accidents, and emergencies—often ahead of state authorities.
His foundation’s reach even extended beyond borders, providing aid during international crises—an unheard-of endeavor for a non-governmental entity from a developing nation.
(First from right is Hurmat Hussain, next to him is Syed Iqbal Hussain, while in
the middle is the angelic personality Abdus Sattarv Edhi. First from left: Syed
Shams Uddin while the other standing beside is Effan Yunus.)
A Life of Simplicity, a Death Mourned by Millions
Despite global accolades, Edhi Sahab lived in a modest room near his clinic, wore simple clothes, and never sought political favor or wealth. When he passed away in July 2016, Pakistan grieved as one. He was laid to rest wrapped in the very shroud he had prepared years earlier, in accordance with his humble wishes.
He remains a national icon, his name synonymous with unconditional care.
Reaffirming the Message
As we reflect on nine years without Edhi Sahab, his message remains urgently relevant:
“Be good to people. Without discrimination. That is all.”
In a time when the world desperately needs more bridges of empathy and fewer walls of division, his life remains a manual for how compassion, when practiced with courage, can become the most powerful force in the world.
For those of us who were privileged to witness his quiet strength up close—even if only for a brief moment in the mountains of Gilgit-Baltistan—his memory is not merely inspiring, but deeply personal.
Let us continue to honor him—not just with words and memorials, but by walking the path he showed us: serve silently, help selflessly, and live simply.
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