KARACHI - Soyem for noted social leader Abdul Sattar Edhi was held at Memon Masjid here on Sunday.

A large number of people from all walks of life attended the soyem. High-level security arrangements were made as heavy contingents of Rangers and police guarded the mosque and its surrounding areas. Separate arrangements were made for ladies and men at the ceremony.

Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah, Sindh Assembly Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani, Farooq Sattar of Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Arif Alvi of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf also met Edhi’s son Faisal Edhi and offered Fateha for the departed soul. They paid rich tribute to Abdul Sattar Edhi for his immense services for the cause of humanity. Faisal Edhi vowed to take the mission of his father ahead and continue to serve the humanity.

He thanked the nation for giving a befitting farewell to his late father and legendary social worker and philanthropist. He acknowledged the love and the support the people exhibited during the lifetime and after the death of his father. “Even if I am reluctant to carry out the charity work of my father, the public will force him to keep on with the brilliant legacy left behind by Edhi Sahab,” he said.

He said that the people have been asking him to wear the clothes and the cap of Edhi. He said that he wore the historical cap of the late Edhi at the time of his funeral and burial. “The cap has a lot of power.” He said that the two donated eyes of the late Edhi have successfully grafted to two blind people of Karachi and now they will see with his eyes.

While quoting the late Edhi, he said that the departed legend would say there were two forces working in the world --- one his evil and the other good. He said that his father had advised him to opt for the good path.

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak arrived in Karachi on Sunday and visited the grave of legendary social leader Abdul Sattar Edhi.

Khattak was accompanied by KP Assembly Speaker Asad Qaisar and PTI leaders. The CM laid floral wreath on Edhi's grave at Edhi village in Karachi. He also offered Dua for the departed soul.

Talking to media, Khattak said, “To pay homage to Edhi and to continue his mission, we will do whatever could.” He said that party chairman Imran Khan will also arrive in Karachi for condolence with Edhi’s family. Earlier, reports said the KP government has decided to allot free land for establishment of Edhi Centres at government-run hospitals in Kohat, Swabi and Swat.

Edhi passed away after prolonged illness at the age of 92 on Friday night. He was laid to rest at the Edhi Village here on Saturday. Thousands of people, including politicians and military officials, attended his funeral prayers at the National Stadium on Saturday amid sorrowful atmosphere.

The dignitaries who attended the funeral prayers included President Mamnoon Hussain, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Shareef, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and Governor Ishratul Ebad, Sindh DG Rangers Maj General Bilal Akbar, Naval Chief Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah, DG ISPR Gen Asim Bajwa, and SIUT head Dr Adeeb Rizvi.

A gun salute was presented by the Pakistan Army in honour of Edhi. The government of Pakistan announced a day of mourning with a state funeral for Edhi. The President, Prime Minister, Chief of Army Staff and top politicians have expressed deep grief and sorrow over the demise.

Meanwhile, the two corneas, donated by philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi after his death, were successfully transplanted into two blind persons. Edhi had announced that his both eyes should be donated after his death. His will was fulfilled by his son Faisal Edhi.

Edhi, known as a ‘servant of humanity’ was born to a family of Muslim traders in Gujarat in British India. He arrived in Pakistan after its bloody creation in 1947. The state’s failure to help his struggling family care for his mother - paralysed and suffering from mental health issues -- was his painful and decisive turning point towards philanthropy.

In the sticky streets in the heart of Karachi, Edhi, full of idealism and hope, opened his first medical clinic in 1951. The Edhi Foundation, founded by Edhi, runs the world's largest ambulance service (operating 1,500 of them) and offers 24-hour emergency services. It also operates free nursing homes, orphanages, clinics, women's shelters, and rehab centres for drug addicts and mentally ill individuals.

It has run relief operations in Africa, Middle East, the Caucasus region, eastern Europe and United States where it provided aid following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. His son Faisal Edhi, wife Bilquis Edhi and daughters managed the daily operations of the organisation during his ill health. Together with his wife, Bilquis Edhi, he received the 1986 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service. He was also the recipient of the Lenin Peace Prize and the Balzan Prize.

In 2006, Institute of Business Administration Pakistan conferred an honoris causa degree of Doctor of Social Service Management for his services. In September 2010, Edhi was also awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Bedfordshire. In 1989, Edhi received the Nishan-e-Imtiaz from the Government of Pakistan.  He had been recommended for a Nobel Peace prize.