KARACHI: As the first death anniversary of celebrated humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi is being observed today, a campaign spearheaded by a private television ch
annel for Saturday to be officially declared as ‘National Charity Day’ is touching a chord with political leaders and civil rights campaigners among other advocates o
f the service of humanity on Saturday.
Pakistan Tehreeke Insaf chairman Imran Khan acknowledged the private channel’s campaign to declare July 8 as National Charity Day to in remembrance o
f the work o
f the iconic social worker and called on the government to officially declare it.
Khan said that “I appreciate for spearheading the campaign. The people who stand for and serve humanity should be widely acclaimed. This is a great effort on the part o
f the news ch
annel to pay a tribute to the nobleman.”
Going down the memory lane, Khan said that “When he started welfare work, it was immensely difficult to collect donations. First big donation for Shaukat Khanam Memorial Cancer Hospital came from Edhi Sahib. He would never forget his donating Rs 100,000 in Dubai for the hospital.”
Whereas, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s spouse Teh
mina Durrani too endorsed the attributing this day to the la
te philanthropist and said she has written to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif requesting him to declare July 8 ‘Youme Edhi Bano’ so that nation can indulge i
n welfare work on this day to do at least one good deed.
Apart from them, people from all walks of life, including lawyers, civil society members and Showbiz stars have been endorsing and partaking in the campaign.