PESHAWAR: A poor auto-rickshaw driver from the Pir Bala Warsak Road area is offering free transport facility to over 100 girls enrolled in a seminary and a school, saying the initiative is meant to promote the girls’ education in the area.

Arab Shah graduated in 2013 but didn’t continue education due to financial constraints.

Known for his generosity and trustworthiness in the area, the young person is called Bhai Jan (elder brother) by most girls, who said the driver was always sort of fatherly with them.

Hina Khan, a third grader, told Dawn that she and her 10 classmates couldn’t afford transport fare, so free rickshaw rides offered by Bhai Jan turned out to be a boon for them.

She said she and other girls would’ve quit school had Bhai Jan not got them to school and back.

Arab Shah said he had bought an auto-rickshaw six years ago not only to meet household expenses but also to serve the cause of girls’ education.

He said he persuaded parents of around 60 girls within a month to let their daughters use his rickshaw for free of charge to go to school.

The girls didn’t get education earlier due to a long distance from their respective areas to the Government Primary Girls School in Darmangi area and a seminary on Warsak Road.

“With the passage of time, more and more parents contacted me and requested free rickshaw ride for their daughters,” he said.

The driver said it took him 10 turns to take over 100 girls to the school and seminary and own areas costing him Rs600 and that he drove the rickshaw until 11pm to meet expenses.

“It’s a great moment of joy for me when last August, my sincere service was recognised by the government. Adviser to the chief minister on elementary education Ziaullah Bangash awarded a cash prize and a commendation certificate to me though I don’t this job for that,” he said.

Arab Shah said the people, who could afford to help poor families, should also come forward.

“All this gives me a spiritual satisfaction,” he said.

The driver said he provided free ride to small girls studying in primary and middle schools and a seminary but unfortunately, most of them later abandoned formal education due to the distant location of high school.

He said if he bought another vehicle, he would use it for the girls’ education so that not a single girl of his village remained out of school for not having enough money to pay for transport.

Published in Dawn, January 27th, 2020