Dr Ruth Pfau laid to rest after state funeral in Karachi

KARACHI: Leprosy fighter Dr Ruth Pfau – who devoted her last 50 years of life to fighting leprosy in Pakistan – was laid to rest with state honour at Gora Qabaristan on Saturday (today), ARY News reported.

In pursuance of the announcement by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, state funeral was accorded to Sister Ruth Katharina Martha Pfau.

A gun-salute was offered by contingents of all three Armed Forces of Pakistan present on the occasion.

President Mamnoon Hussain, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Aman Sohail, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Zakaullah, Governor Sindh Muhammad Zubair, Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah and other high-level officials attended the last rites of Pakistan’s ‘Mother Teresa’.

The dignitaries including COAS, CAS, CNS and other high-level officials also laid floral wreath and paid tribute with salute at her grave.

Earlier today, her body was shifted to Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre (MALC) from Holy Family Hospital of Karachi, few hours ago and from where it was shifted to St. Peter’s Church at 11 am.

#DrRuthPfau last rituals held in Karachi with national honour. pic.twitter.com/B7lIkYI5fJ

— Raza Mehdi (@SyedRezaMehdi) August 19, 2017

A large number of people including workers and patients of MALC, founded by Dr Ruth Pfau, took last look at her before the funeral rites.

Personnel of Armed Forces carried the casket, draped in Pakistani flag, containing Dr Ruth Pfau’s body into St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Stringent security measures

Earlier, the city administration devised a traffic plan for the day as various roads around Saddar area of the metropolis were closed for all kind of vehicular movement to ensure security.

The city’s main traffic artery Shahrah-e-Faisal was also closed for all kind of vehicular movement from Shahra-e-Quaideen to Regent Plaza.

Alternate routes were arranged for residents of the city. Those travelling from Shahra-e-Quaideen to Saddar were advised to use Corridor- III instead.

The traffic from the Airport was diverted to Shahra-e-Quaideen via Quaideen bridge, while the vehicular movement from Korangi routed to Punjab Chowrangi.

Aerial surveillance was also being conducted on the occasion.

Dr Ruth Pfau 

The German nun lost her battle with life at the age of 88 on August 10, while she was undergoing a surgery at a private hospital.

Dubbed as Pakistani ‘Mother Teresa’ for her compassion towards lepers, Dr Ruth Pfau came to Pakistan from Germany in 1960 and dedicated her rest of life to serve people suffering from leprosy.

She was awarded Hilal-i-Imtiaz, second highest civilian award of country in 1979, and later granted Pakistani citizenship in 1988.