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COMMON MAN STORIES
Limited access to education and socio-economic class polarization has excluded many in Pakistan from having an opportunity to voice their grievances. CMI believes that lessons of wisdom, error and growth can be learned by all those willing to teach and share their experiences.
Stepping on to the streets of Pakistan and tapping into the vernacular richness on ground, our team interacts with the common man and compiles a testimony to their life. This project covers various themes and topics that are prevalent in the public and private domains of ordinary citizens. Engaging with communities and individuals, this project is a bridge between those who want to speak and those who want to hear.
Abdul Basit
My job is very strange, I form the last representations of people. I write names of the deceased on marble, for their loved ones to recognize the graves. This job makes me think about life after this one. It feeds into my faith, every day it reminds me that this world is temporary. Every time...
Mushtaq brothers (Wahid, Ahmed, Mudassir)
Responsibilities are a hard fact to accept. We work for others, to keep our loved ones happy, to feed them and keep a shelter overheads. Our father lost this fight with responsibilities. He found an escape in powder (heroin) now he’s a drug addict. His only responsibility is catering to his addiction. We have tried...
Riaz (Babu Band)
I am 28 years old, 12 of which I dedicated to playing an instrument. Once you start practicing on a musical instrument, it is a start of a journey, you can go on counting years or months but the process of learning never stops. I learned to play the drums by my father. I’m learning...
Kamran Ali
I’m 27 years old, from a village near Faisalabad. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be a professional cricketer. I had posters of Imran khan, Shahid Afridi and Inzemam-Ul-Haq up on my wall. I grew up playing cricket at a ground near my home in Faisalabad. Whenever I used to bowl or bat...
Hassan Nasrullah
I had a friend named Awais, we have been friends since we were young. It was a feeling of triumph whenever we did something together. And we started off with teasing people as children, then we stated stealing little things from the shop. We would bunk school and make fun of our teachers. We’d cause...
Ibrahim Chacha
I used to work in a factory in Sialkot, the factory was of leather goods. Back in the day when everything was done by hand, I used to sew leather gloves together. It was a good life, me and my wife a 4 year old son, we were living in servant quarters. All our neighbors...
Mahmood Afzal
My name is Mahmood, I am one of a thousand men that come to the city from far off rural areas, there’s no doubt that I can find more work here. The problem with big cities is that with the increase in work the expenses also increase. I have much more responsibilities than I can...
Amjad Ali Calligrapher
If your work is in a gallery, even if no one likes your work it will get sold for 40,000 Rupees. In a shop like this people aren’t ready to pay even 5,000 Rupees. Selling your art is the hardest thing, it’s like selling a part of yourself. Especially when no one cares about what...
Baba Abdul Razaq
‘Hamari koi Kahani nahi hai jee; yeh hi hamari kahani hai’. This world is an illusion, everything you see is temporary. We’re born alone and at the end we die alone. I am around 40 years old, I don’t even know my exact date of birth. I have never been married, I have no children,...
Shahzaib Bashir Ahmed
I am a student of M.Com. I always wanted to have a business of my own, and not have to work under someone. I do not have a particular idea for a business in my mind, but I will probably start a business in the import and export of goods. I chose to study Commerce...
Faisal Iqbal
I have set up this stall just because 14th August is right around the corner. I work in the catering business; I have been in the field since 1988. I was in year 7 when I first started working. The happiest day of my life was when my God blessed me with children. The reason...
Shazia
A large part of my life was spent dancing in circuses and weddings. I was around 7 years old when I started dancing. I am nearly 50 years old now and spend my life off of what people give me, as charity. I meet people from all backgrounds. When I go to weddings, I meet...
Kamran
I am 27 years old, and a father of 2 kids. I recite naats and when I can, I take up work as a laborer. I have cleared the first part of my FSc and then I had to leave. After my father died, I was the sole bread winner of the family, burdened by...
Baba Yaqub Saeein
I am about 70 years old now. I own a donkey cart and carry construction materials. I will carry anything but garbage. I am a Malang and I need to stay clean. People will mock me, if they see a Malang carrying garbage. I am also known as Baba Chitta Saeein. People started calling me...
Afghan
I am nearly 25 years old. I originally belong from Quetta, and my grandfather was an afghan refugee. We have been living in Pakistan for the past 70 years. We moved to Pakistan during the partition of India, in 1947. We do not have the refugee cards, consequently, whenever we travel, like the time we...
Muhammad Sadiq
Let me tell you something, for the poor person, the happiest day is when he is able to earn enough money after a day’s work. We live day to day, when I am unable to make enough money, I accept my fate and go to sleep. There is despair when there is no money, we...
Pervaiz Masih
My wife died 3 years ago, she died because of dengue fever. My boss had paid for her treatment, but she was unable to survive, it was just the will of God. I have two children, a son and a daughter. My son is training to be a barber, and my daughter goes to a...
![Qamar Ali[932]](http://commonman.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Qamar-Ali932-320x180.jpg "Qamar Ali[932]")
Qamar Ali
I have been working at a paan and tobacco shop for the past one year. Before that I was working in a bakery called, Shimla Bakery. I think about my childhood often; I had no worries back then, I had better plans of future for myself. Now, I have given up all hopes of studying...
![Sufyan Ali[933]](http://commonman.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Sufyan-Ali933-320x180.jpg "Sufyan Ali[933]")
Sufyan Ali
“I used to work in Sheikhupura, in a thread manufacturing factory. I quit about two years ago because it was too far from home. My father passed away when I was 7 years old, I am 17 now. We used to live in Okara before we moved to Lahore. At the age of 10, I...
![Danish Pervaiz Rathore[931]](http://commonman.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Danish-Pervaiz-Rathore931-320x180.jpg "Danish Pervaiz Rathore[931]")
Danish Pervaiz Rathore
I’m from Kashmir, which is where I took my matric exams. I failed two subjects. When I had the retakes; Kashmir was inaccessible because of snowfall. Consequently, I was unable to take the exams. Since then, I have not attempted to retake exams for those two subjects. I would like to continue studying, but I...
![Naveed Devinson[770]](http://commonman.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Naveed-Devinson770-320x180.jpg "Naveed Devinson[770]")
Naveed Devinson
“It is difficult to go on a journey alone, especially when someone who was going to accompany you leaves your side.” “I did F.A from Lahore Degree College of Special Education. This was back in 2006. My school days were the most memorable days of my life. I was schooled in Karachi, and used to...
Common Man Stories – Saigol
Saigol “I am 9 years old. I am a beggar. My parents beg as well. I used to go to school, but then my teacher hit me twice with a stick and ever since, I have not gone back to school. I do not want to go to a school because they will beat me...
I think it is wrong when women are refused the right to education but that is just the way things are in rural areas – Haider Ali
Haider Ali “I think it is wrong when women are refused the right to education but that is just the way things are in rural areas.” “I am studying in grade 10, I am 18 years old. My parents dream of me serving in the army. It would give me a chance to not only...
It is not our job to judge anyone, only God has access to such knowledge. These are matters we should not concern ourselves with – Muhammad Rasheed
Muhammad Rasheed “It is not our job to judge anyone, only God has access to such knowledge. These are matters we should not concern ourselves with”. “I am 57 years old. I used to work as a painter with the Government of Pakistan. It has been 6 years since I retired. I had to retire...
The best lesson he gave me; is to treat people with kindness – Muhammad Daniyal Raza
Muhammad Daniyal Raza “The best lesson he gave me; is to treat people with kindness” “I am 17 years old. I study in Government City Muslim School. I am preparing for my matric exams these days. My result for grade 9 is going to come out soon. I have performed well throughout the classes and...
Kiyun marna aye mandir masjid teh takran, ilm which rab busda – Khawar Gujjar
Khawar Gujjar “Kiyun marna aye mandir masjid teh takran, ilm which rab busda” I am 45 years old. I have three sons. Two of my sons have recently given their matric exams. I want them to study so that they can stand out from the crowd. Do some good for our country. It is wrong...
![Muhammad Aslam[562]](http://commonman.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Muhammad-Aslam562-320x180.jpg "Muhammad Aslam[562]")
Everyone has something to teach, you just need to be willing to learn – Muhammad Aslam
Muhammad Aslam “Everyone has something to teach, you just need to be willing to learn.” “I am nearly 51 years old now. I have 6 children; my eldest son is 25 years old. There have been countless occasions during my life that have been a source of great happiness. Some of the happiest times are...
![Pervaiz (2)[574]](http://commonman.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Pervaiz-2574-320x180.jpg "Pervaiz (2)[574]")
I was happier when I was younger – Pervaiz
Pervaiz “I was happier when I was younger”. “I was happier when I was younger. I did not have to work then, all I did was play every day. I belong from Bajaur. My father is a driver, he can drive pretty much everything, from cars to trucks. Last time I visited Bajaur was three...
![Wahid[575]](http://commonman.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Wahid575-320x180.jpg "Wahid[575]")
I really enjoy studying – Wahid
Wahid “I really enjoy studying.” “I am in second grade. Right now, we have our summer holidays so I am not going to school. The school is in Bajaur; I am here these days to earn money. I will go back once the holidays are over. I really enjoy studying. At school they teach us...
![Khawar Gujjar[765]](http://commonman.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Khawar-Gujjar765-320x180.jpg "Khawar Gujjar[765]")
Kiyun marna aye mandir masjid teh takran, ilm which rab busda – Khawar Gujjar
Khawar Gujjar “Kiyun marna aye mandir masjid teh takran, ilm which rab busda” “I am 45 years old. I have three sons. Two of my sons have recently given their matric exams. I want them to study so that they can stand out from the crowd. Do some good for our country. It is wrong...
I am the one responsible for its maintenance, but the people who use it have a duty towards the park as well – Ghulam Nabi
Ghulam Nabi “I am the one responsible for its maintenance, but the people who use it have a duty towards the park as well.” “I have been working with PHA for the last fourteen years and I have come to realise that trees are immensely important for us. Lahore is notorious for its heat-waves. When...
![Abdul Razzaq[552]](http://commonman.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Abdul-Razzaq552-320x180.jpg "Abdul Razzaq[552]")
I have been working as a cobbler for as long as I can imagine – Abdul Razzaq
Abdul Razzaq “I have been working as a cobbler for as long as I can imagine.” All I have to say about life is, that nothing is constant. There are occasions when you would be having a very good time, and yet there will be times where you would not be enjoying at all. However,...
I would rather sleep on an empty stomach than beg – Qadir Muhammad
Qadir Muhammad “I would rather sleep on an empty stomach than beg”. For many, the red light is a curse, but for the 40-year-old Qadir Muhammad it is a blessing. This is the time when the traffic comes to a halt and he can sell his meticulously crafted balloon bicycles. “I was once an energetic...
I fell off the roof last year in August – Muhammad Basharat
Muhammad Basharat “I fell off the roof last year in August. I was putting up a flag and lost balance.” “My ankles fractured and since then I have gotten my legs plastered from Sheikh Zayed Hospital, thrice. My joints are still dislocated and the swelling has not subsided. I used to drive a rickshaw but...
I am not capable of saying anything smart – Pervaiz
Pervaiz “I am not capable of saying anything smart.” Pervaiz, 17-years old, has been working at a banquet hall for the past 4 years. His parents work at a brick kiln near Head Balloki and his sister who is 10-years old, goes to school. “I haven’t been to a school in the last 7 years”....
Women can achieve whatever they want, if they set their minds to it – Rahila
Rahila Women can achieve whatever they want, if they set their minds to it. In this patriarchal society, a woman’s identity is the name of her father and later, her husband’s. Women here are not granted the agency and individuality that they deserve. That is their right. Over the years, the concept of dependency has been inculcated to...
If Quran was to be summed up in one word, it would be, ikhlaaq – Jahangir Ali
Jahangir Ali “If Quran was to be summed up in one word, it would be, ikhlaaq” “I have working as a gardener for nearly 25 years. I am married and I have 2 sons and a daughter, all of whom are married. The eldest son works as a gardener as well, and the younger one...
I am 7-years old. I have 2 brothers and a sister. I have never been to a school. – Sajjad Munir
Sajjad Munir “I am 7-years old. I have 2 brothers and a sister. I have never been to a school. Instead, I work here. I get these flowers from Sarianpul Market, and sell these at this stop, Rs. 100 per pair. Sometimes I give them for free if the lady is pretty; my friends call...
I used to study but I had to leave school because my mother couldn’t afford it – Sahak Adbul Ghani
Sahak Abdul Ghani “I used to study but I had to leave school because my mother couldn’t afford it. My father left us when he married another woman. I live in the slums near Mian Plaza. I have been working at this traffic stop for the last 4 years. I started working when I was...
All we have received is suffering – Hanifa Bibi
Hanifa Bibi “All we have received is suffering…” I am 90 years old. Life requires working hard. For us poor people, the biggest issue is putting food on the table. Lahore seems like a foreign place, I left my village in hopes of getting work and living in a better place. But ever since we...
The system continues to fail us; forcing us to use the shovel we work with, to dig our own graves – Muhammad Azeez
Muhammad Azeez “The system continues to fail us; forcing us to use the shovel we work with, to dig our own graves”. The footpath of the famous Multan Road is crowded with people anxiously rushing home. Oblivious to his surroundings, sits Muhammad Azeez, a shovel in his hands, trapped in a dilemma. In a patriarchal...
The poor don’t need charity, they need change – Muhammad Ashraf
Muhammad Ashraf “The poor don’t need charity, they need change”. “I am more than 50-years old now. I have 5 children, one of them is married, the rest are younger. They all go to school in the morning but I have to bring them along in the evenings. I see the news and hear stories...
Deprivation from such basic human rights (health and education), is a violation for everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic background – Muhammad Akram
Muhammad Akram “Deprivation from such basic human rights (health and education), is a violation for everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic background”. An incomplete structure stands on Ferozpur Road. Devoid of windows or walls, this dull grey building is a symbol of progress to many. A beacon of ushering change and development. At the foot of...
You can only differentiate between wrong and right ideas when you have the ability to actually think – Kashif Mehmood
Kashif Mehmood “You can only differentiate between wrong and right ideas when you have the ability to actually think. The heart desires, but it’s the mind which processes, the mind with which you take decisions, actions; you can’t do that when you can’t think at all”. Despite the weather on the hot Friday afternoon, Data...
We as a nation have a lot of potential, it is just that we have not been given the chance to utilise our talents – Azam Ali Khan
Azam Ali Khan “We as a nation have a lot of potential, it is just that we have not been given the chance to utilise our talents”. “I work as a delivery person for a company that makes hand-washing liquids and soaps. We deliver the merchandise to hospitals and restaurants.” I have two children,...
The rich keep getting richer and the poor keep getting poorer – Asif Masih
Asif Masih “The rich keep getting richer and the poor keep getting poorer”. “I am currently looking for work. I need to provide for my family, my five children. I have 4 sons and 1 daughter. I can read and write but I was not able to take my matric exams. I want to make...
Go into the forest and you would not find a single animal – Ghulam Muhammad
Ghulam Muhammad “Go into the forest and you would not find a single animal. Come to the city and you will find an animal at every step.” A cloud of vile, hazardous fumes hovers over Ferozepur Road. Standing on the side of this ever-busy road is a 70-year-old man. His grey hair glistening in the sun as...
Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice – Adeel Abbas
Adeel Abbas “Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice. Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. Sometimes, it falls on a generation to be great. YOU can be that great generation....
The world has been unfair to me, but I know there is still good left in the world. – Abbas Ali
Abbas Ali “The world has been unfair to me, but I know there is still good left in the world.” It’s interesting how our interactions with people impact our lives; sometimes in small, temporary ways and sometimes, in ways which can forever change the course of our destiny. For Abbas Ali, life is a series...