This dilapidated neighborhood is mainly inhabited by Christian community. Suddenly, from a manhole in the street, a black head, hands, then shoulders emerged. The young man smiled, showing a happy face as if he had just climbed out of a swimming pool. What he was doing down there? The men said this was a common job among Christians: cleaning the sewers. In Pakistan, most of the Christian and other non-Muslim communities live with low economic and social status. It is difficult for them to find proper job. For example, it is impossible for them to become cooks or waiters at restaurants, because Muslims would consider their food ‘soiled’ when touched by the hands of ‘infidels’. Thus, many of them end up doing various low menial jobs to survive.
Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan, 2006