Islamabad narratives: People who make and break the city

Collection of ordinary narratives, snapshots of lives lived that come together and make for an extraordinary spectrum.


December 31, 2013

A collection of ordinary narratives, snapshots of lives lived that come together and make for an extraordinary spectrum. The quantitative cartography of any city discounts the spoken language that flows through barriers of sect, ethnicity, class and religion. This piece aims to encapsulate the language beyond barriers by zooming into everyday lives.


Haji Abdul Rahman, a blacksmith working in Bazar Loharan in Rawalpindi has no hope for any betterment in 2014. See my oven, it mostly stay cold because of electric and gas loadshedding. 2013 was worst than the previous year.






Change of year is just change of a calendar on walls for me. I am working hard to take my son to a good school.

Zakiya Bibi, a domestic helper in New Katarian, Rawalpindi


“If I could ask for anything in this coming year, it would be respect,” shared Nadia. Between the posing, and buoyant appearance, however, Nadia hid her sadness at being born with an exterior at odds with her inner feelings.


“I hope we see happier days in the year ahead,” the young student smiles coyly, cradling a football as he climbed the towering gate of a girl’s college where his father is a driver. “Lesser electricity and gas loadshedding would be nice.”

Mohammad Faisal Masood, 14, Student, F-10/3 IMCB


This bat is too big! These young girls don’t think their male counterparts are the only ones who should get to play cricket in public parks


Doorman A little person who is instantly recognisable for patrons of a local restaurant


I am sure next year will bring some stability to my homeland. Price hike, electric and gas loadshedding pushes me back to depression sometimes but the 2014 can be better if I work harder. Hafiz Kamran is a barber in Satellite Town hoping for a change in 2014


“Gas shortages have thrown me into debt,” Abdul Hamid’s eyes brim with worry for his children, whose future depends on a good education. “We have to raise our fare but customers don’t have the spending power and persist on haggling,” he shared, explaining that a metering system was a simple but largely ignored solution to a challenge






“Even when we get work, we are treated as if our lives are worth nothing,” shares Izhar-ul-haq, whose last stint working construction left him without pay, and dealing with a contractor who had little intention to pay.

Day labourers in Islamabad


“I hope people can spend more, and that my business can find a way to survive, but only Allah knows how this new year will unfold,” shared cobbler Muhammad Zamir, while his client chimed in, “We don’t even know if we will be alive tomorrow, who can predict what the next year will be like?”


“There is no point in wishing, but I still do, that someday I can wake up without worrying about how to feed my family and how to get by until the next day.”

Bakhtawar Gul, 25 Corn-seller


Easter A balloon seller tries his luck in a Christian neighbourhood


For Islamabad’s most famous teacher Master Ayub, any time students show up is the right time for a class.


“If the next year is anything like this one, this restaurant will go out of business,” Mohammad Bilal says, lifting the ladle to pour steaming tea back into a battered pan, his posturing suggesting complacency at odds with the dusty vestiges of hope seated deep within his heart.

Mohammad Bilal Abbasi, 44

Madina Restaurant, F-10/2

Published in The Express Tribune, December 31st, 2013.

COMMENTS (2)

Anon | 10 years ago | Reply

And here I see people throw crass amounts of money on aimless debauchery on the last night. I can really hope for some sort of balance, where I dont see why obscene amounts of spending on one hand and such desperate poverty on the other hand. both side by side. But that is just wishful thinking, with such extreme disparities occuring is anyone surprised at the what the world has come to?

Arsalan | 10 years ago | Reply

Where are the photo credits?

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