“I have been roaming the streets in search for work for the last week, morning to evening. I haven’t found any work, but there are some good people who offered me food and tea. I’ve just had my lunch, but I haven’t found any work through which I can bring back something to eat for my family.

I’m so old that I don’t even remember by age exactly. I’m losing my senses – I can’t hear well, I have eyesight problems and my hands shake. But I don’t have any other option. My wife passed away and I have two daughters – I have to work for them.

I came to Rawalpindi from my home in Lakki Marwat many years ago. We had a huge family there. They are quite well off and well known in the area. I moved to Rawalpindi in search of good work.

Some time ago, there used to be a charpai in every household, but those aren’t used anymore and there’s no work for me now. One of my friends used to do this work with me, but he had to quit many years ago. I can’t leave this work because I don’t have any other skills.”

Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2016