Thousands of people, including high-profile politicians and government officials, gathered at the National Stadium on Saturday to attend the funeral prayers of Abdul Sattar Edhi – Pakistan's most celebrated humanitarian who passed away last night in Karachi.

Edhi was given a guard of honour and a 19-gun salute by the Pakistan Army as his body was taken away from the National Stadium after his funeral.

His body was then taken to the Edhi village, where he was laid to rest.

Strict security measures were taken for the funeral, with all three chiefs of the armed forces in attendance alongside DG Rangers Bilal Akber, Corps Commander Karachi Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar and DG ISPR Lt Gen Asim Bajwa.

Also in attendance were President Mamnoon Hussain, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, his Sindh counterpart Qaim Ali Shah, Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad and Sindh Police chief A.D. Khawaja.

Earlier, DG ISPR Asim Bajwa had said army, Rangers and other law enforcement agencies personnel will unite to ensure safety for the mourners.

Edhi passed away at the age of 88 in Karachi on Friday night.

"He wished to be buried in the same clothes he used to wear. He also wanted to donate his body parts, but only his cornea can be donated as the rest of his organs were not in a healthy condition," said Edhi's son Faisal Edhi.

Edhi was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2013 but had been unable to get a transplant due to frail health. He was receiving treatment at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT).