State Funeral for Dr Pfau Underway

Karachi (August 19, 2017): Last rites of ‘Mother Teresa’ of Pakistan Dr Ruth Pfau are being performed today in Karachi with full state honours.

Pfau, dubbed as Mother Teresa of Pakistan for her lifelong services for suffering humanity especially lepers and her leading role in elimination of the diseases from the country, passed away last week in Karachi after protracted illness .

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Patients and workers of Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre (MALC), founded by Dr Ruth to serve the leprosy patients in Pakistan, gathered around her body on Saturday to take one last look at the humanitarian hero whose life-long struggle helped Pakistan defeat leprosy.Dr Ruth’s final rites are being performed at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Saddar with state honour.

Her body was taken to MALC from Holy Family Hospital earlier today. From MALC, the body was taken to St Patrick Catherderal where the last rites are being performed.

Corps Commander Karachi, DG Rangers Sindh, IGP Sindh besides other high ups are expected to attend the last rite of Pfau.Many roads around the Saddar area, where Dr Ruth’s funeral and burial will take place, have been closed for traffic to ensure security.

The route from Soldier Bazaar to Saddar has been closed for traffic ahead of Dr Ruth’s funeral, according to traffic police.Shahra-e-Iraq will be closed near Passport Office at around 9am, the police said.Alternate routes have been arranged for residents of the city. Those travelling from Shahra-e-Quaideen to Saddar have been asked to use Corridor- III instead.Another suggested route includes the roads from Soldier Bazaar to Iqbal Market and Tanker Chowrangi to Nishtar Road or Gul Plaza.