Shakoor Bhai, Chai, and an Untold Story

Abdul Shakoor, a hardworking elderly man, speaking to Dialogue Pakistan, said: “Mera nam Abdul Shakoor hai aur meri kahani ye hai.”

Abdul Shakoor told that he is 60 years old. He further told that he has 4 daughters, one wife, and one daughter who is married. His village is in Nathia Gali, where his family still lives. He came to Karachi in 1980 looking for a job. Maybe after having children, he started selling tea from the beginning.

He cannot ride a bicycle, so he sells tea on foot. Khali plot hai udhar, under humein koi janay nai deta. “Lakri per chai banata hun.” “Mondhay per utha k ghoomna parta hai, mushkil hai lekin guzara karna hai. Adat par gayi hai.”

He said that sometimes his tea sells, sometimes it doesn’t. He has debts to pay; no one drinks old tea, so he has to make fresh tea every time.He said, "subha ki bani chai koi sham mein nahi peeta,girani parti hai sab."

Chor dengy to biwi bachay kaha se khaengy, kaha palengy. His monthly expenses are around 30–40 thousand rupees. There are days when he doesn’t get to eat properly, and his children often go to bed hungry."Aksar ghar mein atta bhi nahi hota bachon ke liye,bhookay so jatay hain."

The man with strong faith state that, "Allah ne bheja hai sab, uske hukum se hai. “Mehmat krengy to Allah apki madad krega.”