“I worked as a mechanic in Islamabad for several years and I left because my co-workers would taunt me for many reasons. I finally decided to quit and I now sell balloons in Rawalpindi. This is a better business and if I earn Rs500 a day, it is more than enough to feed my family.

I spent most of my early life in Gujranwala before moving to Rawalpindi and I had a very carefree childhood. I don’t come from a wealthy family but God has been very kind to me. I have never thought about making money the wrong way and money has never been a priority for me.

I spend most of my days around markets where rich people come to shop, but to me they are just people. Once, someone dropped their phone when they were stepping out of their car. I picked it up and waited for them to return so I could give it back to them.”

Published in Dawn, April 2nd, 2016