The family history in the following episodes relates to the events after our migration and entry into Pakistan.
I have already told you about our journey from Bombay to Karachi in the steamboat which touched the Karachi coast on 1st Jan. 1948. You also know that we were stranded on the high sea for two and half days due to curfew in the city. Eventually we were allowed entry into the city through a special train which was organized by the Government of Sindh. Our family stayed with Doctor Sab in his apartment at the Airport for a couple of days, which allowed us to take some rest and also to recall the happenings of the past few days. A nightmare.
Since I had a job in the city I joined my duty after some rest. The company where I started the work was a private Mechanical Engineering setup located on Lawrence Road, the city's industrial area. My salary was Rs. 300/= P.M. (about $1,200 a month in today's money) which was not bad for a start under such circumstances. The situation was tense as quite a number of Hindus were leaving and shiploads of Muslims were pouring in. Those who came with lot of money or had some influence settled down in houses which they either bought or rented. The majority of the Muslim families were given shelter in camps. They were people who left India to save their lives and had no money with them. Some of them were believed to have left or were compelled to leave their life's savings including property or business.
While traveling by train many of them lost their lives. There were two major camps for such refugees one at Lahore and the other at Karachi.
The horrible stories of their sufferings during migration have been reflected in many books and also in dramas or magazines.
As far as we were concerned we were much better off due to God's mercy. First we rented a flat on the 5th floor of a new building in a congested area near the factory where I worked. Myself, Sirdar and Sarwar shared the 2 rooms flat. After a month or so we were able to get a much better apartment on the first floor of a building which was also within walking distance from where I worked. Since Sarwar was advised not to use stairs we got a room for him on the ground floor.
Sirdar had just started his dairy which he had secured on Frere Road, the location of which was also within walking distance of our new apartment.
By the way I forgot to tell you that our beloved cousin late Nisar Ahmad who had come to help us upto Bombay accompanied us to Karachi. He tried various places for a suitable job in his field with no luck.
Eventually he had to leave for his home and his job after about 4 months. While he was with us he was very helpful in setting up houses at different places and in particular carrying Aslam to school who was very obstinate and refused to go to school.
In the meanwhile before Nisar left for India we got the house in Jehangir Road which is now the property of Sirdar. What happened was that Dr. Samad Shaheen's brother late Sadiq Suhail visited Pakistan and bought the property very cheap at that time in Karachi. Only half the portion was vacant and Samad Shaheen asked us to occupy the portion that was vacant. He was happy to live in his flat on Bunder Road. The rent was also not much. In fact things were still very cheap in Karachi as compared to India.
For instance wheat flour was selling at 4 K.G. for one rupee (about $4 in today's money). Now it is Rs. 6 per K.G. (about 50 cents in today's money) Mutton could be got for less than a Rupee per K.G. (under $4 in today's money). Poultry was also not expensive. It was surprising considering the fact that Pakistan was facing a heavy influx of Muslim refugees from India. When we look back and compare the present trend of rising prices of consumer goods, we come to the conclusion that in those days probably profiteers, Hoarders and dealers who use unethical methods were not born. Such dishonest people are available in scores these days due to whom the whole atmosphere has changed for the worst.
There were different types of people who migrated from India for example:
1. Business people who came with money, chose their line of business and established themselves.
2. Entrepreneurs with wealth established factories, Textile Mills, Jute Mills, Banks, Insurance etc. which provided jobs to many needy persons.
3. Technicians experienced in different trades filled the gaps that was needed in various industries. Such people did not have money but had enough talent. I belonged to category 3.
It was big struggle for Sirdar to adjust himself in a business in which he had absolutely no experience. His perseverance paid him as he gradually settled down and established himself as a leading dairy businessman. Sarwar also joined him after completing his graduation from a local college.
Both Sirdar and Sarwar had to work very hard to achieve a commendable position in which they find themselves today. Certainly patience and hard work is not without a reward.