People Speak.

Byline: Mohammad Asim

'I have been working as a vendor at Aabpara for the last 42 years. Earlier, it was my part time work but 16 years ago I retired from the ministry of petroleum and started working full time as my pension was not enough to make ends meet.

In winter, I work from 8am to 10pm. In the morning, I work in the junkyard where I sell and purchase old and rusty goods. I earn Rs300 to Rs500 daily.

I came from Azad Jammu and Kashmir in the early 70s and got a government job as a naib qasid. I retired in 2004. I did not know any skill to eke out a livelihood for my family which is why I established a stall where I sold caps and socks as well as other hosiery items in winter. In summers, I earned money from a weighing machine and selling socks.

I have two sons and two daughters. My sons are government employees but I do not depend on them. I earn money for myself and my wife. Besides, this work also keeps me busy.

I...