My uncle served in the Pakistan Army for 22 years. Not as a general or an officer with stars on his shoulders, but as a technical soldier in the Electrical and Mechanical Engineers corps. He retired with a pension, a plot of land, full medical coverage, and the kind of quiet confidence that only comes … Read more
A neighbor’s son from our street in Rawalpindi appeared in three different government job tests last year and failed to clear any of them. He was frustrated, starting to lose confidence, and genuinely unsure what direction to take. His father mentioned it to my chacha, who had retired from the Army. My chacha asked one … Read more
My phupho’s husband has worked as a civilian employee at a Pakistan Army cantonment for over 18 years. He never wore a uniform, never went through military training, and never fired a weapon. He started as a lower division clerk in his mid-twenties with an intermediate certificate and a basic understanding of office work. Today … Read more
There is a particular kind of respect that follows Military Police soldiers wherever they go inside military installations. I noticed it the first time I visited a cantonment with my father, who was meeting an old colleague. The MP soldier at the gate had this composed, sharp presence that was different from what I expected. … Read more
My mother’s cousin came to visit us from a small village near Chakwal about four years ago. He had finished his matric, was a decent cook because he had helped in his family’s small dhaba since he was twelve, and had absolutely no idea what to do with his life next. He was one of … Read more