Remembering Edhi: ‘We all owe him our lost ones’

Woman who lost son in Baldia factory fire recalls how Edhi helped them on tragic day

KARACHI: Tears rolled down her cheeks as she recalled what was perhaps the worst industrial disaster in the history of Pakistan: the Baldia factory fire that happened on September 11, 2012, taking the lives of 260 innocent workers. Her son, Aijaz Ahmed, was among those who lost their lives, but Saeeda Khatoon believes that philanthropist and social worker Abdul Sattar Edhi's death was a greater loss.

"It was panic all over that day and Edhi sahib was helping us like a father," recalled Khatoon, who is also the senior vice-president of Ali Enterprises Fire Affectees Association. She was addressing a tribute ceremony organised by the National Trade Union Federation (NTUF) at the auditorium of Pakistan Institute of International Affairs on Friday.



According to Khatoon, Edhi was the first one to reach along with his more than 150 ambulances on the tragic day. "Not only was he guiding his volunteers but the police, firefighters and everyone else was taking directions from him," she recalled. "We all owe him as our lost ones have been laid in their graves wearing the shroud provided by him."

Remembering Edhi as their saviour in their tough time, labourers and workers paid rich tributes to the great humanitarian on the occasion. In the auditorium, two participants shared one seat as a large number of people have headed to the event to hear more about Edhi.

Edhi, the comrade

Mazdoor Kissan Party leader and Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) professor Taimoor Rahman shared how he used to believe that Edhi was a very religious man. "Later on, after meeting him, I realised that his ideas were based on the theory of Karl Marx."

Rahman was of the view that Edhi had immense knowledge of human rights. He added that his struggle was not limited to humanitarian work alone as he also wanted to change the orthodox mindset of the people.



Edhi's son, Faisal Edhi, reiterated his father's leanings towards socialism. Recalling his father's tilt towards Vladimir Lenin and Marx, Faisal mentioned that his father read a lot about them and was their follower. He went on to add that Edhi never forced them to adopt the same ideas. "But just like him, I am also inspired by them," he shared. Talking about his father's relationship with the working class, Faisal shared how Edhi had always been concerned about how people are deprived of basic human rights. He mentioned that Edhi always backed all the labour movements and appreciated the workers for their struggle in fighting for their rights.

A favour of God to the poor

Gul Rehman, a leader of aluminium packaging workers union, termed Edhi 'a great favour of God to the poor'. He added that the best way to remember him is to follow the path that he has shown us.

Expressing similar views, NTUF central deputy general secretary Nasir Mansoor added that all the workers owe a lot to Edhi. He recalled how whenever they needed any help, Edhi was silently there be it a case of provision of lawyer for the arrested workers or providing food and water during a day-long protest. "He always motivated us to fight for our rights and we knew that Edhi will save us in the worst time," he said.

Remembering Edhi Sahab

Mansoor mentioned that it was the efforts of Edhi during the Baldia factory fire that he documented all the bodies and arranged for the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) tests, which finally resulted in the provision of compensation to the victims by the government.

Workers present on the occasion unanimously demanded that the newly-built Islamabad airport should be renamed after Edhi in recognition of his services. They also urged upon the government to realise their responsibility in paying tribute to Edhi.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 23^rd, 2016.