“My grandfather came from Mohmand Agency with my father several years ago. I was born in Rawalpindi’s Gharibabad locality. My father sells sugarcane juice near Marrir Chowk. We are five brothers and three sisters. I went to school and completed my primary education before I dropped out. I was not fond of education and I was more interested in sports and hanging out with my friends.

My family were worried that I would get spoiled and end up with bad company. Therefore they got me enrolled in a madressah, but I did not stay there for long. After a few weeks, I was back on the streets. My father then asked me if I wanted to accompany him at their juice stall. I refused, and instead told him that I wanted to become a mechanic just like my older brother. So my father got me an apprenticeship at the workshop where my brother worked.

After getting the necessary training I started working as a mechanic. However, tragedy struck my family. Another brother who assisted my father at his stall was injured after his fingers were severed at the sugarcane juice machine. He could not work and since my father needed someone to help him out, he asked me to join him.

So I have stopped work at the workshop until my brother recovers. I work full time at the sugarcane juice stall. I go with my father in the morning and we work till late in the evening.

I have no interest in this work. I love cars, and being a mechanic gives me satisfaction. I want to be the best in town and open my own workshop.”

Published in Dawn, November 24th, 2018