“I came to Islamabad 10 years ago. I left school in 4th grade due to my family’s circumstances and shifted here. Being the eldest son, I had to help my father in supporting our family. We are two brothers and six sisters. Four of my sisters are married.

My father worked as a cobbler in G-7 but could not manage the expense on his own. He then brought me here and set up a stall for me in Sitara Market. He invested around Rs12,000. Since then I have been running this stall, selling watches, socks and other items.I contracted polio at the age of two. My father took me to various hospitals for my treatment, but I did not recover.

I earn between Rs800 to Rs1,000 every day. Every week, I go to Raja Bazaar in Rawalpindi and purchase various items from there. The main item at my stall which attracts customers are watches. Therefore, the major part of my investment is in watches.

I do not live with my father because he stays in Islamabad for six months and remaining months he moves back to our village in Bajaur. Therefore I stay with a friend in a room which we have hired for Rs9,000.

I am married and have a two years old daughter. I send back Rs10,000 every month to my family.

I visit them after every two to three months.

I did not discontinue my education all this time. When I came to Islamabad, I took admission to a school for special children from where I did my matriculation. I would go to school in the morning and work in the evenings. At present, I am pursuing my bachelor’s degree.

I always wanted to study, which is why I never burdened my father with its expense. I paid for my education.

I hope I am able to get a government job once I graduate. That is my only aim.”

Published in Dawn, March 7th, 2020