'The nation has lost a mother': Celebrities mourn the death of philanthropist Bilquis Edhi

The mother of orphans, Bilquis Edhi, is no more. A recipient of the Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice and Hilal-i-Imtiaz, she breathed her last in Karachi on Friday evening. The right-hand woman and other half of the late Abdul Sattar Edhi, Bilquis was known as the caretaker of hundreds of abandoned babies.

Celebrities have taken to different social media platforms to express their grief at her demise. Actor Adnan Malik shared an Instagram post and wrote that Pakistan has lost a mother today. "thank you for your vigor determination and kindness on this planet," he wrote.

Actor Ayesha Omar also penned a prayer for the late humanitarian on her Instagram stories and wrote, "the nation has lost one of its mothers today".

Filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy shared a photo of the deceased and wrote that she is mourning the loss of Bilquis Edhi. "She was our conscience in many ways, uplifting the marginalized with her love and sheer 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 "legend of Pakistan".

Actor Osman Khalid Butt hoped she will "rest in power" and said he will never forget her contributions to Pakistan.

Singer and actor Hadiqa Kiani shared a throwback with Bilquis and wrote, "Mrs. Bilquis Edhi was a woman unlike any other. She took the world’s burden on her back and stood up to simply help the world become a better place." Kiani also believes that God made her a "vessel of aid" to people in need and believes she was indeed one for her when Kiani adopted her son Naaday Ali.

"She trusted me with being a mother and I, like so many others touched by Mrs. Edhi’s grace, will forever be grateful. I pray for her peace and I pray her legacy carries on," she wrote.

Veteran actor Samina Peerzada also tweeted that both Abdul Sattar and Bilquis Edhi are "our true heroes" and they will be missed.

Singer Quratulain Balouch also took to Twitter and wrote, "You [Bilquis] have been an inspiration and a standard unmatched. You and Edhi sahab taught us humanity and what it’s like to be selfless. Rest In Peace now."

Filmmaker Samar MinAllah Khan called Bilquis the "prettiest, kindest face of Pakistan and of humanity." and prayed that the Creator smiles upon seeing her.

Actor Humayun Saeed shared her photo and said that he is deeply saddened to learn about the passing of the philanthropist. "May Allah 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 an ever greater human being." He said it takes rare selflessness to dedicate your entire life to serve humanity. He also wrote that her contribution to humanitarian work will "inspire" generations.

According to Bilquis's grandson, Ahmed Edhi, the 75-year-old's condition took a toll for the worse late Thursday. She was suffering from multiple ailments such as a heart condition, lungs infection, diabetes and arthritis. Her husband, the late Abdul Sattar Edhi, passed away on July 8, 2016.