Ali Akbar, a 72-year-old newspaper vendor from Rawalpindi, has been awarded the prestigious Légion d’Honneur, France’s highest civilian honor. The award was presented to Akbar by President Emmanuel Macron in a ceremony held at the Élysée Palace.
This recognition is not only a personal achievement but also holds significance for Akbar, who hopes it will assist his long-pending application for French citizenship.
For more than five decades, Akbar has been a well-known figure in the St.-Germain-des-Prés district of Paris. His daily rounds selling newspapers through the cobbled streets, cafés, and boutiques are accompanied by his trademark cry of “Ça y est!” – a phrase that has become synonymous with his presence.
His distinctive voice and tireless work ethic have earned him a loyal following among locals and tourists alike.
Born in 1953 in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Akbar faced numerous challenges from a young age. He left school at 12 and worked various jobs before deciding to seek a better future abroad.
In 1973, Akbar moved to Paris after a long journey through Kabul, Tehran, and Athens. Initially, he worked in restaurants under difficult conditions, but in 1974, he found his calling as a newspaper vendor.
He began with satirical magazines like Charlie Hebdo and Hara-Kiri, eventually expanding to major French dailies like Le Monde and Les Echos.
Akbar’s unique approach to selling newspapers includes using humor and inventing attention-grabbing headlines. His clientele includes a diverse range of people, including artists, psychotherapists, and fashion designers.
Over the years, he has formed close bonds with the staff and customers at Parisian cafés such as Flore, Lipp, and Fleurus.
Despite his age, Akbar continues his daily routine, working from noon to midnight. He earns about $70 each day, though he has no pension and seldom takes time off. His drive, he says, stems from his difficult childhood in Rawalpindi, where he lived in a cramped room with his four siblings and had to rely on leftovers for meals.
Akbar’s ultimate goal was always to provide a better life for his mother, which he achieved by purchasing her a home with a garden.
Ali Akbar’s recognition with the Légion d’Honneur is a testament to his resilience and unwavering commitment to his work, highlighting a life of hard work, humor, and dedication.
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