Mohammad Iqbal and Saeed chat at the end of their shift. They are the security guards at the Metro bus project site in Islamabad. — Photos by the writer

By Sara Farid

The metro bus project, the largest citywide infrastructure project to have been undertaken in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, employs hundreds of workers.

These men have come to Islamabad from all over Pakistan and many have never seen the capital before. Miles from their hometowns, as they toil together through the heat and dust, there is a real sense of community among this rag-tag bunch. They sweat together, eat together, sleep together and share light moments over cups of tea, forming a camaraderie that goes beyond stone and mortar.

Mohammad Irfan, 18, is from D.G. Khan. He works as a labourer carrying concrete blocks at the construction site. “My favourite place in Islamabad is Bari Imam. Whenever I get free time, I go there.”

As the project nears completion, their time together is also coming to an end. Many will return to their hometowns, while some say they may stay on and try looking for work in the capital. The motley crew of labourers, technicians and heavy machinery operators working on the Jinnah Avenue section of the metro bus project is but one of many, separate groups that have formed strong bonds.

These faceless workers, on whose toil rests the march of progress will be long gone by the time people start to use the metro bus service. But the fruits of their labour will endure.

Mohammad Aziz, 60, belongs to Sadiqabad. He drives his tractor transporting steel bars from the storage yard to the construction site. As the wind blows the flag posted on the roof, he says, “I love our national flag and I fixed it on my tractor on the 14th of August.”

Mohammad Ali, 60, is from Nowshera. He sells tea to the metro bus labourers. “I have made new friends here by bringing tea to these hard-working men. We find a few minutes to sit down for a chat and laugh a little.”

Electrical team carries out a final check after fixing the lights at one of the underpasses for the metro bus in Islamabad.

Mohammad Arshad, 30, has come from Bahawalpur. He has been working here since five months. “I love Faisal mosque in Islamabad and I go there each Friday to pray.”

Mansoor Ali, 24, is from Badin, Sindh. He has been working as a welder for the metro bus project for the last three months. “I had never seen mountains before. They are beautiful. I want to visit Murree when this project ends.”

Published in Dawn March 1st , 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play