Bilqis Edhi, the mother of the orphans, is no longer present. Received Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice and Crescent of Excellence, she breathed her last in Karachi on Friday evening. Bilqis, the right-hand man and the other half of the late Abdul Sattar Edhi, was known as the caretaker of hundreds of abandoned children.
Celebrities have taken to various social media platforms to express their grief over her death. Actor Adnan Malik shared a post on Instagram and wrote that Pakistan lost a mother today. “Thank you for your strong determination and kindness to this planet,” he wrote.
The artist, Aisha Omar, also wrote a prayer for the human late on her Instagram stories, and wrote, “The nation lost one of its mothers today.”
Director Sharmeen Obaid-Shenoy shared a photo of the deceased and wrote that she is mourning the loss of Bilqis Edhi. “She was in many ways our conscience, elevating the marginalized with her love and absolute determination,” she wrote.
Singer Komal Rizvi wrote:Pyari Bilquis aapa, aapki kami puray pakistan ko mehsoos hogi [Dear Bilquis apa, your absence will be felt by the whole of Pakistan]With the hashtag “Pakistan Legend”.
Actor Usman Khalid Butt had hoped she would “rest in power” and said he would never forget her contributions to Pakistan.
Singer and actress Hadika Kayani shared a throwback with Balqis and wrote, “Mrs. Balqis Edhi was a woman like no other. She carried the burden of the world on her back and stood up to simply help the world become a better place.” Kayani also believes that God made her a “helping vessel” for the needy and believes that she was already one of hers when Kayani adopted her son Naday Ali.
She wrote, “She has trusted me to be a mother and I, like so many who have been touched by Mrs. Edhi’s blessing, will be forever grateful. I pray for her peace and pray that her legacy will continue.”
Veteran actress Samina Pirzada also tweeted that both Abdul Sattar and Balqis Edhi are our “real heroes” and will be missed.
Singer Qara Al-Ain Baloch also took to Twitter and wrote: “You [Bilquis] She was an inspiration and benchmark like no other. You and Edhi Sahab have taught us humanity and what selflessness looks like. Rest in peace now.”
Director Samar Minullah Khan described Balqis as “the most beautiful and kindest face of Pakistan and humanity.” He prayed to God to smile upon seeing her.
Actor Humayun Saeed shared her photo and said he was deeply saddened to learn of the philanthropist’s death. “May God bless her soul and reward her for all her efforts and great work for humanity,” he wrote.
Actor Adnan Siddiqui also tweeted, “We have lost a great philanthropist and a greater human being than ever.” He said that dedicating your whole life to serving humanity requires selflessness. He also wrote that her contribution to humanitarian work would “inspire” generations.
According to Bilqis’ grandson, Ahmed Edhi, the condition of the 75-year-old caused its worst case late Thursday. She was suffering from multiple diseases such as heart disease, pneumonia, diabetes and arthritis. Her late husband Abdul Sattar Edhi passed away on July 8, 2016.
