“I have been working as a labourer in the federal capital for 30 years and despite all the hard work, I was not able to build a home for my family.

I sleep on footpaths and get food from philanthropists. I came to Islamabad from Bannu in search of opportunities. One of my relatives back home, Malang Baba, taught me many skills such as gardening and masonry. But so many people with the same skills come to this city.

I have three sons and three daughters. My dream for my children is that they get the best education so they will not have to do the same hard work I do. My eldest son dropped out of school after his intermediate and now drives a rickshaw. One of my daughters is not interested in getting an education but I forced her to go to school so she can have a bright future.

I have also acted in a Pashto drama. I have worked in so many fields but I have not been able to find a good job. Other men from my village and I do not go to the homeless shelter as it is so far from the main city. We still sleep on the footpaths.

It is very difficult for me to find work every day and I am able to send between Rs4,000 and Rs10,000 a month to my family back in Bannu.

I miss my children a lot but there is no way for me to go back home as there is no work for me there. I am getting old and bearing the weather is becoming difficult for me, be it the cold, the sun or the rainy season.”

Published in Dawn, March 23rd, 2019