PAT workers’ ride: Homesickness runs deep among drivers, conductors

Vehicles parked near federal Urdu varsity since marchers arrived.

ISLAMABAD:

For Muhammad Ramzan, losing a brother in a tragic accident in his hometown was all the more painful as he could only share his grief with family members through phone and could not attend the funeral.

Ramzan was bound to stay in Islamabad with the vehicle in which he had brought workers and supporters of the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) from Lahore. “My brother died and I couldn’t attend his funeral,” regretted Ramzan. “I don’t know how I will overcome the pang of regret in my life.”

Ramzan revealed that he could not leave for his hometown, Layyah, as his colleague had left for home before and he was the only one remaining, with payments due by the PAT organisers. “I can’t forget the day when I heard the tragic news of his death. I cried over the phone as much as I could. What else could a poor man like me do,” he asked.

He added that if he had gone home he would have been deprived of the money he was promised to be handed over once the sit-in ends and the rally participants reach their destinations.

The only reason of our stay is simple: we need PAT organisers to clear our dues so we may go to our homes, said a driver, Anis Iqbal. He said that 42 and 72-seated buses were hired for Rs30,000 and Rs50,000 respectively, adding that the daily rent of vehicles was fixed at Rs2,000 and Rs3,000 for the small and big buses. He said further that Rs500 was fixed as daily expenses for drivers and cleaners and the complete payment will only be given after the rally concludes.

“The meter is on but we have no idea what will happen if they become martyrs,” said a driver, adding that, “we pray for their safety and good health everyday.”

The drivers revealed that many of the vehicles had left after their dues were cleared, adding that the rest of the drivers would not waste a second in the capital if given payments as the daily expenses were too high.

“We were originally hired for only a couple of days so we did not bring additional clothes with us,” said another driver. Now, he added, we wash and wear the same clothes that we wore when we arrived.

Drivers and cleaners pass their time by playing cards, washing clothes, bathing, and eating at nearby hotels to kill time as most of them stay away from the site of the sit-ins. All the drivers and cleaners were reluctant to discuss their predicament for fear of not being paid in case PAT organisers hear their complaints.

Homesickness is rampant among the stranded men. “My children have stopped talking to me. They say I tell a lie everyday when I say I would be home tomorrow,” said Salamat Ali, who came from Lahore. “The deadlines have made us numb.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 31^st, 2014.