“I work two days a week with my neighbour as a helper at his lemon soda stall. I also study in 8th class in a government school near Rawal Dam.

My family shifted to Islamabad about 20 years ago from Kotli Sattian. My father is a retired soldier and now works as a mason. Me and my brother are working to help our father to supplement his income. My elder brother is in intermediate.

We live in Islamabad which is the most expensive city. We have our own house but there is a dire need to meet our daily expense. My father’s income is not enough to provide education to us, including my two sisters. I earn Rs500 to Rs1,000 a day.

I also want to join a religious school to become Hafiz-i-Quran and a religious scholar. I will teach children through internet after completing my religious studies. My sister is studying in a seminary to become a religious scholar. My second sister is studying in a government school.

Working as a stallholder in Islamabad is very risky. The administration mostly razes stalls along roadsides. I plan to work during the whole summer vacations.

Most religious scholars have not acquired regular education but I will pursue higher education as well.”

Published in Dawn, April 6th, 2019