Islamabad: The award ceremony is one of the most emotional moments of my life,” said Pakistan-origin Ali Akbar, his voice heavy with emotion, as he reflected on a remarkable half-century journey of selling newspapers on the streets of Paris, a humble livelihood that ultimately earned him the respect and admiration of an entire nation.
Speaking exclusively to Pakistan TV, in its morning show, World This Morning, Akbar said he felt “truly honored and deeply grateful,” and calling the moment unforgettable.
Akbar is Known as Paris’ last newspaper hawker, has now been awarded the National Order of Merit, one of France’s highest civilian honours, personally conferred by President Emmanuel Macron. His story is not just about migration or survival, but about dignity, service, and unwavering faith.
Surrounded by his children, grandchildren, wife, and extended family, he said being recognized by the French President felt like a lifetime of honest labor finally being acknowledged.
Akbar traced his journey back to Rawalpindi, where poverty forced him to work from a very young age. As a child, he polished shoes, sold popcorn, and worked in wealthy households to support his family. Living without clean drinking water, he made a promise to himself to one day build a better home for his mother, a dream that became the driving force behind his decision to leave Pakistan before the age of eighteen.
His path to France was long and uncertain, taking him through several countries before he eventually settled in Paris. There, life remained challenging. Selling newspapers in extreme weather, Ali Akbar became a familiar and respected face in the Latin Quarter, interacting daily with intellectuals, writers, politicians, and students including a young Emmanuel Macron.
Despite never attending formal school in France, he learned the language through daily interactions and observation. Ali Akbar said that faith, honesty, and service to people kept him going. His message to Pakistan’s youth is clear: stay consistent, work hard, remain honest, and serve others — because true recognition comes to those who never stop striving.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
