Meet ‘billi walay baba’ — the man who feeds 100 stray cats a day

Karachiite Niaz Ahmed has been feeding stray cats in his neighbourhood for over 20 years

KARACHI: With the rising inflation in the country, it has become difficult for many to make ends meet. But there are still some people who, despite being poor themselves, not only wholeheartedly help their fellow human beings but they also show their love and kindness by feeding animals.

One such example is of Niaz Ahmed, a 55-year-old resident of Liaquatabad in Karachi, who is popularly known as “billi walay baba” (the old man who owns cats) across his neighbourhood for he has been feeding stray cats for the past couple of decades.



“I developed a love for cats some 20 years ago when a hungry kitten entered my shop. When I saw it yowling and meowing, I decided to go to a nearby meat shop and bought some chicken for the kitten,” Ahmed, who runs a small furniture-making shop, narrates. “Since then, the kitten, who I named Munni, never left my shop and I established a strong affection for her.”

Munni stayed with Ahmed for a number of years during which she gave birth to several kittens, all of which grew up at his shop.  He developed a deep affection not only for his cats but also for stray cats.

“After staying with me for almost seven years, Munni fell sick. Despite being treated, she passed away. I felt a deep sense of loss after that. Allah has surely bestowed my heart with kindness for animals and has chosen me to serve them,” maintains Ahmed.

PHOTO: EXPRESS

Sharing his routine, the ailurophile - the cat lover - says that apart from his cats, he has been feeding the stray cats in his neighbourhood after Fajr prayers for the past 15 years.

“I leave home after breakfast and feed the cats around my shop and those who live near the mosques as well as other stray cats. And then I feed them again in the evening,” he says. “This is my daily routine and I perform this ‘duty’ without skipping a single day.”

Ahmed claims that he feeds nearly 100 cats daily. And it’s not just cats - he also feeds some stray dogs that come and sit outside his shop, hoping to get some food.



“Each day, I have to spend almost Rs150 to Rs200 to feed the cats twice. Even though it’s expensive for a poor man like me, I do not mind it at all because it’s not me who feeds them, it is Allah’s way of feeding them. He is The All-Merciful and The Provider,” smiles Ahmed. “I consider feeding the cats as the best form of charity. The act brings me a sense of happiness and tranquillity.”

Ahmed reveals that several people have come forward to financially help him in feeding the cats, but he has refused.

“I will continue to feed the cats until my last breath. After my death, my sons have also vowed to continue this practice,” he explains. “My message to everyone is simple: serve animals and humans, and see how Allah changes your circumstances.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 3^rd, 2020.