Senate chief, information minister visit ailing Edhi, condole with Sabri’s family

Rabbani says the way people across country mourned the artistwas a slap on face of terrorists

KARACHI: The participation of masses during the funeral of Sufi singer Amjad Sabri was a slap on the face of terrorists who wanted to inflict harm on the state, said Senate chairperson Raza Rabbani on Sunday.

Amjad, who was the torch bearer of the legacy of his father Ghulam Farid Sabri and uncle Maqbool Ahmed Sabri, popularly known as Sabri brothers, was gunned down in Liaquatabad on June 22.

Rabbani, who is serving as the acting president, paid a visit to the Sabri house and offered his condolence to the bereaved family.

Talking to the media, he said that the way in which people across the country mourned the artist and attended his funeral in thousands was a slap on the face of terrorists who tried to tarnish the country's peace.



He remarked that Amjad's art cannot be confined in a room nor can it be laid down in a grave. "His art is immortal, [it is] still alive in people's minds."

Mentioning his personal relationship with the Sufi singer, Rabbani said he spoke to him for the last time last month. The federal and provincial governments, working together, will take his murderers to task, he hoped.



Federal information minister Pervaiz Rashid also visited Sabri's house and offered condolences to his family. He said that the nation will remember him as a peace vigil and pledged that his family will be provided justice soon.

Visiting Edhi

Rabbani also visited ailing philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi at Edhi Home. While inquiring about the health of the social activist, he said that the precedent Edhi has set for the service of humanity in his lifetime is hardly found elsewhere in the world. He also wished Edhi best for his upcoming medical operation.

According to Edhi's son, Faisal, his father will go to Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation on Monday for an operation.



Faisal said that his father his feeling much better than before but has yet to recover completely. A few weeks ago, Edhi had to go for dialysis thrice a week but now he goes twice a week, he informed.

Rashid also called on Edhi later in the day and presented a bouquet on behalf of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He remarked that serving humanity is the best worship and Edhi did so all his life. No award could match the stature of Edhi for his exemplary work, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 27^th, 2016.