The problem is of the ignorant educated Pakistanis who continue to rob the resources and continue to blame the poor.

One factor that no one wants to discuss while chatting about population growth is the infant / child mortality in poor communities due to lack of health. In a way, more children is trying to beat the odds of life and lineage.

If there is a proper distribution of resources and health clinics all over, this will change. Jagan Nath had the right idea.

BTW, “Ashiq Masih” worked “with” us. He was a few years older than I was. We played together too; wrestling, joshing, cricket, bike race and all. I used to call him, “Ishiq Masih”. Shy and one with few words. But always honest to core for both work and property.

My mother treated him the same as all of us. Meals, clothing and all. I taught him how to write his name, etc. He learned how to drive a car with us. And when he grew older, my father arranged for him to work at the municipality, LMC. From there he went on to rent a richshaw. Then bought one, then two, then three. And then went on to buy a few taxis’. For a short while, his wife worked “with” us until he determined that she no longer had to work.

I have since then lost track of him. Hope to run into him one day and catch up on days gone by.

Last I know of him, he and his family were no longer doing what their parents did! So, yes, they broke the mold and created a new cycle of life.

Ashiq Masih has always been a good example in my books for a good, hardworking, honest Pakistani, who paid his dues in his life and became successful.