Meet France’s last newspaper seller who is from Pakistan

Dubai: Ali Akbar is a familiar figure on the streets of Paris. At 72, the newspaper vendor from Rawalpindi, Pakistan, has spent the past five decades delivering newspapers — a job that has made him a beloved presence in the city.

Known for his quick wit and infectious smile, Akbar is now believed to be France’s last remaining newspaper hawker. His dedication and unique charm recently caught national attention, earning him one of the country’s highest honours: the Légion d’Honneur. President Emmanuel Macron will present the award at a formal ceremony at the Élysée Palace this fall.

“Maybe it will finally help me get my French passport!” Akbar told The New York Times.

His journey to Paris was anything but easy. Born in 1953 into a large family of 10 children — two of whom died young — Akbar left Pakistan as a teenager in the early 1970s in search of a better life. His route took him through Afghanistan, Iran, and Greece before he arrived in France.

In the early years, he struggled taking odd jobs, facing discrimination, and even sleeping under bridges. But in time, he took over a newspaper stand and began to build a life.

“I didn’t want to wear clothes that reeked of misery,” he told The New York Times. “I always dreamed of giving my mother a house with a garden.”

To Akbar, selling newspapers has never just been about making a living — it’s about connecting with people, spreading cheer, and becoming part of the rhythm of daily life. “When you have nothing, you take whatever you can get,” he says. For the residents of Saint-Germain, Akbar has become much more than a vendor—he’s a local institution.

Over the years, Akbar has rubbed shoulders with everyone from presidents to painters, yet he remains humble. He lives modestly, supporting his family back in Pakistan and cherishing the life he built in France.

He married in 1980 and has five sons, all of whom were educated in France — something for which he remains deeply grateful.

Today, Akbar mainly sells Le Monde, making around $70 a day and rarely taking time off. While he used to sell up to 300 papers daily, he now manages to sell only about 40. Still, he has no intention of closing shop. Despite the decline of print media, Akbar continues his trade with unwavering dedication.

In addition to his pension, he recently launched a small food truck near the Jardin du Luxembourg—a new venture, but one rooted in the same spirit that has defined his life.