“My family’s circumstances compelled me to leave school after 8th grade and start working as a labourer. We used to live in a katchi abadi near Zero Point. That year it rained so much that our house could not withstand and collapsed. That was the turning point in our life. My father, who also sold roasted chickpeas and corncobs, had no choice but ask me and my elder brother to start working and help him rebuild our house.

We are four brothers and three sisters. Me and my elder brother and two sisters are married. I have a three-year-old daughter.

My father came from Peshawar back in 1988 and started working as a labourer. He later started selling chickpeas and its been 25 years now.

Our work is seasonal. We sell chickpeas and corncobs in the winter and during summer we work as labourer.

I earn between Rs300 and Rs500 every day. My father has his own stall. My youngest brother is studying while the rest work. One of my brothers working in the animal market in Peshawar while another is a mechanic.

We live in a joint family which is why we are able to survive in a city like Islamabad.

My youngest sister also earns by stitching clothes and she also contributes in running the house.

Me and my father purchase corncobs and chickpeas from the I-11 market every day for Rs1,000. There are times when I have no sale, especially on a rainy day, but then that’s how it is.

I know there is no future in this work. I am passed the age where I can invest in another trade. For that I need money and with a family to support I cannot take the risk.

My only option is getting a job. I am always on a lookout for it; at least I will have a fixed salary.

Published in Dawn, February 8th, 2020