By Sara Farid

The metro bus project, the largest citywide infrastructure project to have been undertaken in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, employs hundreds of workers.

These men have come to Islamabad from all over Pakistan and many have never seen the capital before. Miles from their hometowns, as they toil together through the heat and dust, there is a real sense of community among this rag-tag bunch. They sweat together, eat together, sleep together and share light moments over cups of tea, forming a camaraderie that goes beyond stone and mortar.

As the project nears completion, their time together is also coming to an end. Many will return to their hometowns, while some say they may stay on and try looking for work in the capital. The motley crew of labourers, technicians and heavy machinery operators working on the Jinnah Avenue section of the metro bus project is but one of many, separate groups that have formed strong bonds.

These faceless workers, on whose toil rests the march of progress will be long gone by the time people start to use the metro bus service. But the fruits of their labour will endure.

Published in Dawn March 1st , 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play