Surviving the Searing Heat: A Day in the Life of a Karachi Motorcycle Driver

Shahbaz Ali, a ride-hailing motorcycle driver in Karachi, endures relentless heat and frequent power outages while striving to support his family. With the heat index surpassing 115°F, his daily struggle reveals the harsh realities faced by many in Pakistan's largest city.

 

In Karachi, Pakistan, the day begins with a merciless sun, and for ride-hailing motorcycle driver Shahbaz Ali, the struggles are only starting. At just 32 years old, the toll of daily power outages and relentless heat has turned life into a battle for survival.

As he departs for a grueling 12-hour shift, the temperatures already soar, often exceeding 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius), and humidity makes the air feel even more suffocating. “It feels like living in a furnace,” he laments as he navigates the chaotic streets of Karachi on his motorcycle. Yet, for Ali, stopping is not an option. “If I stop working, my family won’t eat,” he stresses.

Weaving through the unforgiving traffic, Ali’s resilience shines as he strives to provide for his loved ones amidst the backdrop of Karachi’s towering skyscrapers and open-air markets. The relentless weather leaves him sleep-deprived and fatigued, but Ali presses on, highlighting the grim choices many like him face.

His resourcefulness is evident as he uses a rechargeable light during power outages to help his children with their studies. “We are enduring, not living,” he reflects, capturing the essence of life in a city grappling with extreme climate challenges and basic service failures.

The ongoing heatwave is not only a physical strain but also a reminder of the persistent hardships that plague the residents of this bustling metropolis, far removed from the comfort many take for granted. In a city where the foundation of survival is built on sheer determination, Shahbaz Ali exemplifies the resilience amid relentless heat.