MULTAN  –  Across the plains of South Punjab, families known as “Pakhiwas” live in small tents on vacant pieces of land. They stay in one place for some time before moving elsewhere, car­rying their belongings, traditional skills and memories of the places they have visited. For them, life is a journey and a temporary shelter is home. The word “Pakhi” means bird in the local language. Like birds that wander from place to place, these families travel in search of work and shelter, with the open sky as their constant companion. Their way of life differs from that of settled com­munities, yet they have preserved their traditions, ancestral occupa­tions and cultural identity across generations. For Pakhiwas families, home is not always a house with walls and a roof. Sometimes, it is a tent beneath a tree, a patch of open ground, or a shelter built from whatever materials are available.Their lives remain closely linked to nature, changing seasons and the daily struggle to earn a living. Sal­eem Pakhiwas says he has spent his entire life living this way. “Since I opened my eyes, I have seen our families moving from one place to another and putting up tents wher­ever we find a suitable place,” he says. Saleem makes different kinds of baskets to earn a living. His work requires patience and skill, and his products serve practical purposes in everyday life. As factory-made goods become increasingly common, his craft represents a traditional liveli­hood that continues to survive in the region. Other community members pursue different occupations. Some collect wastepaper and scrap to sup­port their families. Their work also helps recover materials for reuse and recycling, although their contri­bution often goes unnoticed. Akram Pakhiwas, who has spent much of his life in different parts of Multan, earns money by collecting mango stones. He gathers them and sells them to farmers and nursery owners who use them to grow mango plants. South Punjab is famous for its mango orchards, and Akram has connected his livelihood with the region’s ag­ricultural economy. What many people discard after eating a mango becomes a source of income for him and a useful resource for nursery growers. His work demonstrates how people with limited resources find opportunities in things others leave behind. Life in a tent may seem difficult to those accustomed to per­manent homes, but Pakhiwas fami­lies have learned to adapt. Akram