Edhi Abdul Sattar

Pakistani philanthropist who built the world's largest volunteer ambulance network

Abdul Sattar Edhi (1928-2016) revolutionized social welfare in Pakistan through his Edhi Foundation, operating 1,800 ambulances and orphanages nationwide. His journey began in 1951 with a tiny medical stall in Karachi, growing into humanitarian empire aiding millions annually.

Notable achievements include:

• Establishing 24-hour emergency services decades before 911 systems
• Creating cradles for abandoned babies saving 50,000+ infants
• Personally driving ambulances during 2005 Kashmir earthquake relief

Despite handling $100 million+ in donations, Edhi lived austerely in a small room adjacent to his office. His death at 88 saw unprecedented national mourning, with the Prime Minister calling him Pakistan’s greatest citizen.