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'I am grateful to the UAE for my opportunities'

Dubai - On certain times Khan drives alone, however, for loading and unloading purposes, Khan is usually accompanied by one or two of his company's staff.

 
For 38-year-old Pakistani national and long-distance truck driver Shahbaz Khan, a routine is tough to maintain. "I don't have a fixed work timing. I am usually driving in the early hours of the morning or late at night," admitted Khan.
"However, I try and get most of the driving done in the night so that I can avoid traffic," he added. The truck driver from Karachi drives a 10 to 12-tonne truck to several destinations across the GCC including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, etc. He delivers fruits and vegetables and logs of wood among other things.
However, Khan fasts during the holy month and takes advantage of the country's several beautiful mosques to break his fast. An employee of Janway General Trading Transport, Khan moved to the UAE from Karachi, Pakistan, 12 years ago in search of greener pastures. "I didn't earn a lot of money in Pakistan, that's why I moved here," he said. 
Fasting as a truck driver
Khan can drive for up to four hours at a stretch, after which he takes short breaks at truck stops. On certain times Khan drives alone, however, for loading and unloading purposes, Khan is usually accompanied by one or two of his company's staff.
"When you drive through the desert, you learn to appreciate how vast and beautiful it is. Even during the nights, especially the Abu Dhabi border area," he said. Khan lives in his accommodation only twice a week, and for most of the week, he is out on the road. 
He cannot drive over 80kmph and on inter-country highways, he can only go at a speed of up to 100kmph. Since truck drivers are not allowed to drive in the cities during peak hours, Khan tends to drive only on the national highways.
Providing an example of his typical workday during Ramadan, Khan said, "I leave home from International City after Suhoor and Fajr prayers and continue driving till 9am. I take a small break at rest stops and head out again. On most days I have Iftar in mosques," he added.
On some days he breaks his fast in individual Ramadan tents set up by the oil company Shell. "These tents are located in places where we drivers normally find it difficult to get our food requirements to break our fast. There are three locations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah where I've gone to these tents," he added. According to Khan, over 500 drivers do Iftar in these tents every day.
"It is challenging for us to carry the food and water that are required to break the fast. With these tents in the routes, we can plan our trips in a time-saving manner," said Khan. The food is simple and usually consists of a date and a few savouries.
Ramadan in Pakistan
"I've set up a contracting business in Pakistan. My brothers and dad take care of it," he said. Khan says he misses his family a lot, especially during the holy month.
"But I am very grateful to the UAE. I've been able to support and provide a good life for my family," said father of two
Speaking about how he manages time and his health while driving such long distances, Khan said, "I try and remain calm as possible, and take a lot of rest when I am not driving," he said.
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com