By Waseem Khan | 05 August 2025
Rawalpindi to Paris: Ali Akbar to Receive France’s Highest Civilian Honour – the National Order of Merit. In the heart of Paris, where the cobbled streets of the Latin Quarter echo with centuries of culture, a humble figure has become an unlikely symbol of resilience, tradition, and cross-cultural harmony.
Ali Akbar, a 73-year-old newspaper vendor originally from Rawalpindi, Pakistan, is about to receive one of France’s highest civilian honours – the National Order of Merit – bestowed by President Emmanuel Macron this September.
Ali Akbar’s story is nothing short of extraordinary. Arriving in France in 1973, he started selling newspapers to students at the Sorbonne University and surrounding cafes, including copies of the famed satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. While many vendors vanished with the rise of television and later, the internet, Ali remained — undeterred, undefeated.
With his signature smile, wit, and unwavering spirit, he continued his daily rounds through the fashionable Latin Quarter, often brightening mornings more than the headlines he sold.
Over five decades, Ali Akbar became more than just a street vendor. He became part of Parisian life — a living memory of a tradition slowly fading. In a world obsessed with speed and screens, he chose to remain rooted in the simplicity of human connection — face-to-face conversations, laughter shared with passers-by, and the rustling of fresh newsprint in hand.
His upcoming knighthood in the National Order of Merit is not merely a recognition of his service to journalism or tradition — it’s a tribute to immigrant perseverance, cultural integration, and the quiet dignity of hard work.
For the Pakistani diaspora, Ali Akbar is a beacon of pride. For France, he is a reminder that national identity is not forged solely by birthplace but by dedication, service, and heart.
As we celebrate this beautiful milestone, may Ali Akbar’s story inspire us all to hold onto humanity, tradition, and purpose — even as the world rushes ahead.
🇵🇰🇫🇷 Bravo, Ali Akbar Sahib – From Rawalpindi to the streets of Paris, your journey is nothing less than heroic.
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