PM Abbasi announces state funeral for Dr Pfau

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi announced on Thursday a state funeral for Pakistan’s leprosy fighter Dr Ruth Pfau, who passed away early morning.

“The entire nation is indebted to Ruth Pfau for her selfless and unmatched services for the eradication of leprosy. We are proud of her exemplary services and she will remain in our hearts as a shining symbol in times ahead,” according to the statement by the PM office.

Tributes poured in from across the country after the passing of the humanitarian. 

Dr Pfau, who led a battle against the stigmatised disease of leprosy, passed away early Thursday morning after a long illness. She was 87.

She had been hospitalised at a private hospital in the metropolis for two weeks due to age-related illnesses and her condition had been worsening.

Dr Pfau, the founder of the National Leprosy Control Programme in Pakistan, was in charge of the Marie Adelaide Society of Pakistan (MASP), where leprosy patients are treated.

Last year in July, Revered humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi was given a state funeral due to his humanitarian services. President Mamnoon Hussain, then Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Shareef, Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif, the CM Sindh and Sindh Governor attended the funeral held at the National Stadium.