From Achro Thar to Karachi: A student’s journey from waiter to ‘Pagal Samosay’ entrepreneur

In this edition of the Gumnam Kahani initiative by Dialogue Pakistan, Ghulam Karim, who runs Pagal Samosay stall, shared an inspiring story of perseverance, hardship, and self-belief.

Originally from the White Desert of Achro Thar, he left home at a young age in pursuit of education, travelling to Karachi to build a better future. His family was not financially strong enough to fully support his studies, but they helped whenever they could.

When he first arrived in Karachi, he worked as a compounder to pay rent and cover his college fees. After completing his intermediate studies, he secured admission to a university in Political Science. However, the challenge of managing living expenses soon resurfaced.

To continue his education, he took a job as a waiter at a café — a fact he initially kept from his family. They only discovered the truth later, when he went on to establish his own food stall, famously named “Pagal Samosay”.

Reflecting on his journey, he said education does more than provide qualifications; it teaches awareness, resilience and how to navigate life. He added that survival does not depend solely on securing a government job — a realisation that eventually reassured his family.

He also spoke about a close friend, Danish, who supported him financially during his coaching classes and even gifted him a mobile phone. The two later lost contact, but Karim says he still messages him occasionally, inviting him to visit the Pagal Samosay stall whenever he can.

On the advice of his spiritual mentor, he slightly increased the price of his samosas to strengthen the business model.

Today, he expresses gratitude, saying the business is running well and he remains thankful to Allah for the progress he has made.