“I came to Islamabad to visit my aunt in 2007, when I had just given my matric exam from a government school in Purana Qila, Sialkot. It was before my results came out. During my visit here, I stumbled on the world of electronics and was fascinated by it. I thought I am here anyways and I do not have to be anywhere else, so why not explore a bit and learn the work while I can. I started working at a workshop and was paid Rs500 a week. I was so interested and so good at my work that I started getting many jobs.

So, I decided to stay and give all my time to learning about electronics. I did try to pursue my education along with the work, even at Allama Iqbal Open University, but it just did not work out.

Some years later, I asked the owner of the workshop if he thought I was good enough to leave and start a business of my own. He said I was and I left with his blessing. I was getting paid Rs15,000 a month when I left.

I have since established a shop on College Road and am able to employ a few more people. Business is growing and I earn a decent amount. My two sisters are married and my brother went abroad, so I asked my parents to move in with me in Rawalpindi.

I also facilitate students in their projects such as making clocks, calculators and anything to do with moving displays and LEDs. There is so much scope in this business and so many possibilities. I want to expand my business and see what the world of electronics has to offer.”

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2018