The guardians of Eid

ISLAMABAD: Eid is a festival that many look forward to as an opportunity to spend time with their family. Those who live away from their hometowns travel long distances to celebrate the holiday with their near and dear ones. But while this is a norm for some, it is a privilege that many others cannot afford.

There is a job that does not allow its employees to retreat and relax even on Eid. They are the vigilant guardians, the knights without armour; the people who patrol around for our security.

Thousands of security guards are employed at various multinational companies, foreign missions, and banks in the federal capital. An increasing number of civilians have also started hiring private security guards.

With the deteriorating law and order situation of the country, these private security guards have had to see their Eid holidays being cancelled over the past few years. They are on duty during Eid so that we can celebrate it safely.

“If we ask for our vacations, we are told either to stay on duty or to never come back,” said a private security guard. “We cannot afford to lose our only source of income and the employers know this,” he added.

Subidar Noor Khan from District Sawabi has been a security guard in a private company for over 20 years after retiring from the army.

“I am currently deputed at a multinational company located in sector F-6. My firm pays me only Rs8,000 per month and I work 8-12 hours everyday,” he said.

There was a time when he was allowed to go home on Eid, but ever since the spate of suicide bombings escalated in 2007, he has been deprived of Eid holidays.

He added that his company never grants him bonus for serving on Eid days.

“I miss my family, especially my two children Gul Riaz Khan and Gul Zaib Khan who often insist that I join them on Eid. But unfortunately, I must disappoint them,” he said.

Haleem Ahmed, manager of a private security company, said that the primary responsibility was to provide security.

He admitted that the guards were unable to go home, but advocated that saving lives was more important.

He claimed that guards
who perform their duties on Eid were given additional holidays afterwards as compensation.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7^th, 2010.