There is a class of people, however, who have never observed Eid. These are the vagrants of Pakistan, who are typically homeless without regular employment or income. They usually live in poverty and support themselves by begging, garbage scraping, or other types of temporary work.
Apparently, vagrants appear to be care-free despite their poverty, however, they lead a harsh life which is bound to sadden people once they learn more about them.
Owing to their poverty, they are unable to observe their religious duties due to lack of cleanliness and limited access to food. Therefore, Eid holds little to no value for them.
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Since the creation of Pakistan, vagrants have been living in the same deplorable condition and there has been no upward mobility for generations. They set up their tents and huts wherever they find a vacant space and are forced to dwell therein irrespective of the weather. In order to ensure that they get two meals a day, they have to either look after rich landlords’ animals or they have to resort to begging to fill their stomachs.
Despite being a month full of charitable spirit, Ramazan brings about no change in their lifestyle.
Similarly, on the occasion of Eid, vagrants are unaware of the blessing of this joyous festival. They have never worn new clothes on Eid, nor do they know the significance of the event. For them, managing to have access to the basic needs of life is the only concern.
The Express Tribune team recently visited these tents to inquire about the situation and found vagrants to be living in a deplorable condition – something that many well-off Pakistanis cannot even imagine in a thousand dreams.
It was discovered that children did not have any clothes to hide their bodies and they roamed about barefoot. Explaining their condition, some vagrants said that they are forced to migrate from one place to another wherever they find access to basic facilities. However, they do not have any permanent places because landowners feel threatened by their presence and resort to forceful evacuation.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, a vagrant named Akram said that he hails from Mitha Tiwana located in district Khushab. The man, who is a father of two kids, lamented their forefathers were also homeless when they came to Pakistan, and since then, generation after generation continued to live a similar life.
Akram said that he, along with his wife, make toys and sells them for a living. His relatives, who live in other cities, also continue to live in tent houses that they keep changing from time to time. He also informed The Express Tribune that some vagrants also permanently settle down in certain places if they find stable employment or sources of income.
Akram also explained that most vagrants earn through working in fields during the harvest season, for which they travel to their villages. Even when relatives get together, there is no concept of celebrating Eid or Ramazan because poverty leaves them with no other purpose in life than feeding themselves.
Another man named Yusuf, a father of five kids, said that he rears cattle in fields for landlords. In return, he is allowed to set up his tent on the land and is also given food. Buying clothes is not possible as they ask others to donate clothes to them throughout the year, let alone buying new ones on Eid.
Nawaz told The Express Tribune that all vagrants are registered voters. Before elections, politicians visit them and make empty promises. However, after getting votes, they never look back.
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Nawaz said that they were delighted when they learnt about the Ashiana Housing Scheme, but their dreams were crushed when they were told to send a booking request an advance payment to obtain a house.
They yearn for a home and want to lead a normal life. They want their children to wear new clothes and shoes. They also want to enjoy good food on Eid but all of these things are a dream for them. They hardly know anything about Eid except for the fact that other people are celebrating it and will give them food to eat generously.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 4th, 2019.
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