For Pakistani food rider who lost both legs, Eid homecoming crowns year of struggle
ISLAMABAD: On a scorching afternoon earlier this month in Islamabad, food delivery rider Hamza Ali pulled his motorbike beneath the shade of a tree after collecting an order from a restaurant. He opened the insulated delivery bag strapped behind him, took out a bottle of water, splashed some across his face and drank quietly before heading off to the next customer.
At first glance, the scene appears routine in Pakistan’s growing gig economy, where thousands of riders weave through traffic every day delivering meals ordered through mobile apps. But a closer look reveals Ali’s modified motorbike, fitted with hand-operated controls because he lost both legs in a road accident five years ago.
As millions of Pakistanis prepare to celebrate Eid Al-Adha with family gatherings and festive meals, Ali says his greatest hope this year is to return to Multan and spend the holiday with his mother. He spent the last Eid alone in Islamabad because he could not afford the journey home.
“I have kept it safely because I want to gift it to my mother on Eid,” he said with a smile, referring to a mobile phone he recently received after ranking among his company’s top delivery riders.
