Abdul Sattar Edhi was born on 28 February 1928 in Bantva, Gujarat, British India, into a Memon Muslim family. His childhood was marked by both hardship and deep compassion. His mother played a crucial role in shaping his worldview, teaching him the values of empathy, generosity, and service to others. She would give him two coins daily—one for himself and one for the less fortunate—instilling in him a habit of charity from a young age.

At the age of 11, Edhi's life changed dramatically when his mother became paralyzed and later developed mental illness. He took full responsibility for her care, feeding her, bathing her, and tending to her needs. This experience exposed him to the struggles of the sick and helpless, profoundly impacting his outlook on life. It was during these years that he first encountered the harsh realities of poverty and suffering, which shaped his lifelong commitment to humanitarian work.

His mother's illness not only influenced his character but also disrupted his formal education. He was unable to complete high school, as caring for his mother became his priority. However, he often said that his true education came from observing human suffering and learning how to ease it. Her death when he was 19 left a deep void in his life, but it also cemented his determination to serve those who had no one to care for them.

Following the partition of India in 1947, Edhi and his family migrated to Karachi, Pakistan. Like many other migrants, they faced immense challenges, including poverty and displacement. The city was overflowing with refugees, many of whom lived in dire conditions. Edhi, too, struggled to find stable employment but remained deeply affected by the suffering he saw around him. Instead of focusing on his own hardships, he began to dream of creating a system that would provide care for the sick, abandoned, and destitute.

His first step toward this vision was working as a peddler, selling cloth in Karachi’s markets. He later became a commission agent, dealing in fabric wholesale. Despite the financial struggles, his passion for helping others never waned. After a few years of saving money, he set up a small free dispensary in Karachi in 1951. This dispensary was the seed from which the Edhi Foundation would grow, becoming one of the largest and most respected humanitarian organizations in the world.

The dispensary was initially funded by the Memon community, but Edhi quickly realized that his ambitions went far beyond their limited support. He wanted to build a welfare system that would serve people of all backgrounds, free from sectarian, ethnic, or political divides. When he asked for more financial assistance, the community leaders refused, fearing his radical independence. Rather than being discouraged, he decided to take matters into his own hands. He stood on the streets of Karachi, personally asking for donations. His simple message—"Help me help the poor"—resonated with people, and soon, funds began to pour in.

With the donations, Edhi expanded his efforts. He bought his first ambulance in 1957, using it to personally transport the sick and injured to hospitals. He would often drive it himself, responding to emergencies at any hour of the day or night. As the demand for his services grew, he began recruiting volunteers and acquiring more vehicles, eventually establishing the Edhi ambulance network, which would later become the largest volunteer ambulance service in the world.

His work did not stop at healthcare. He soon realized that Pakistan lacked proper shelters for orphans, abandoned children, and homeless individuals. In response, he established the first Edhi orphanage, which provided a home to children who had been left to fend for themselves. Over the years, the orphanage expanded into a network of Edhi Homes, where children received not only shelter but also education, medical care, and emotional support.

Edhi’s philosophy of service was rooted in simplicity and selflessness. Unlike other philanthropists who relied on government or corporate funding, he insisted that his organization remain independent, funded solely through private donations from ordinary people. He believed that this model ensured transparency and prevented outside influence. As a result, the Edhi Foundation gained immense public trust, growing into the largest social welfare network in Pakistan.

His life of service was not without challenges. He faced resistance from religious groups, political figures, and even criminal organizations that viewed his work as a threat to their control. He was accused of being un-Islamic because he helped people regardless of their religious background. Some extremists targeted his organization, and his ambulances were occasionally attacked. However, he never wavered in his mission, continuing to work tirelessly despite the threats.