Islamabad, April 15 : Renowned Pakistani philanthropist and humanitarian Bilquis Bano Edhi died in a Karachi hospital at the age of 74 on Friday. Bilquis, who co-chaired Edhi Foundation with her son Faisal, had been suffering from cardiovascular disease and was under treatment at a private hospital for the last few days. A spokesperson for the Edhi Foundation told a leading daily that Bilquis was suffering from “multiple ailments”. “She had heart problems in addition to lung issues,” he said. Earlier this week, Bilquis – the wife of renowned humanitarian and philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi – was rushed to a private hospital in Karachi after her blood pressure suddenly dropped, reports Dawn. Born in Bantwa, India and migrated to Pakistan after the Partition, Bilquis has spent more than six decades of her life serving humanity. Her charity saved over thousands of unwanted babies by placing jhoolas (cradles) at Edhi Homes and centres across Pakistan. Called the Mother of Pakistan, she was awarded various national and foreign awards including the Hilal-i-Imtiaz, the Lenin Peace Prize, Mother Teresa Memorial International Award for Social Justice (2015), and the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service, which she received along with her husband in 1986, reports Dawn. Last year, she was declared the “Person of the Decade”, along with human rights rapporteur of the UN Prof Yanghee Lee and the US ethicist Stephen Soldz. She leaves behind four children, Faisal, Kubra, Zeenat and Almas from her marriage with Abdul Sattar Edhi. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif termed Bilquis’ death “a huge loss for the nation”. “The passing of Bilquis Edhi is a huge loss for the nation. An incredible woman in her own right, she stood by Edhi sb. like a rock & together they set up an example of human compassion & ran one of the largest philanthropic organisations of the world. May her soul rest in peace!” he said. “Sad to learn about the passing of Bilquis Edhi sahiba. She had always been shoulder to shoulder with Abdul Sattar Edhi in his philanthropic efforts and continued his work even after his death,” said President Arif Alvi. PTI Chairman Imran Khan said he was “deeply saddened” on hearing the news. “Her quiet, selfless work for the poor, the homeless, especially the orphans and abandoned children, made her a role model and a symbol of hope,” he said. Renowned Pakistani author Fatima Bhutto also expressed sorrow and mentioned that Bilquis served Pakistan’s poor and abandoned with great spirit her entire life. Cricketer Shahid Afridi called her a mother to countless orphans, a sister to grieving hearts and the kindest face of humanity. “#BilquisEdhi had always been shoulder to shoulder with Abdul Sattar Edhi in his philanthropic efforts and continued his mission even after him,” he said. MYK SHK2327