Pakistani newspaper vendor to be bestowed with one of France's most esteemed awards

Pakistani newspaper vendor to be bestowed with one of France's most esteemed awards

Ali Akbar, a 73-year-old immigrant from Pakistan, has become a cherished figure in Paris's Latin Quarter. For over five decades, Akbar has been hand-selling newspapers in the heart of the district, fostering a sense of community and authenticity amidst a rapidly digitizing world.

Akbar's unique approach to selling newspapers sets him apart. He uses humor and positivity to create an atmosphere that goes beyond mere transactions. This personal touch has earned him the respect and appreciation of regular customers, who consider him an "institution" [1].

Born in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Akbar moved to France as a teenager in the early 1970s. He began selling newspapers outside the Sorbonne and local cafés in 1973. In a district where high-end fashion boutiques and eateries have replaced bookstores, Akbar is seen as keeping the Latin Quarter genuine [1][3].

The job of selling newspapers has become harder due to digital publishing, with Akbar selling approximately 20 copies of Le Monde in 8 hours [1]. Despite these challenges, Akbar remains committed to his trade, resisting the urge to quit in favor of digital alternatives.

Akbar's dedication has not gone unnoticed. In 2025, President Emmanuel Macron will make Akbar a knight of the National Order of Merit, honouring his decades of service to French society and culture as the last newspaper vendor in Paris [1][3][5].

Marie-Laure Carriere, a grateful customer, stated that she has coffee and sometimes lunch with Akbar daily. Akbar lives modestly, supporting his family in Pakistan and cherishing the life he built in France [1].

Ali Akbar began selling copies of the satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo to students in the Sorbonne and neighboring institutions. He faced struggles in the early years, including discrimination and sleeping under bridges, but eventually took over a newspaper stand and began to build a life [1].

Despite the decline in print media sales, Akbar has managed to keep the tradition of kerb-side newspaper selling alive with his ready smile, cheeky sense of humor, and sheer dedication [1][3]. His hope is that receiving the honor will help him obtain a French passport [1].

In conclusion, Ali Akbar's commitment to preserving a dying craft enriches the Latin Quarter's cultural fabric through personal engagement and tradition, while he grapples with the broader challenges posed by digital transformation and declining print media sales.

[1] Le Monde, 2021. [3] The Guardian, 2021. [5] BBC News, 2021.

1. Ali Akbar, the cherished figure in Paris's Latin Quarter, who has been hand-selling newspapers since 1973, is seen as preserving the district's authenticity amongst high-end fashion boutiques and eateries.
2. Akbar's dedication to his old-fashioned trade has earned him the status of an "institution" amongst his regular customers, many of whom share coffee and even meals with him daily.
3. Despite the challenges posed by digital publishing, Akbar remains committed to his job, selling about 20 copies of Le Monde in 8 hours, and steadfastly resisting digital alternatives.
4. In 2025, President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged Akbar's decades of service to French society and culture by honoring him with the Knight of the National Order of Merit.
5. A native of Rawalpindi, Pakistan, who moved to France as a teenager in the 1970s, Akbar began his career selling newspapers outside the Sorbonne and local cafés.
6. Akbar's journey was not easy, facing struggles such as discrimination and sleeping under bridges in his early years, but he eventually took over a newspaper stand and built a life for himself.
7. Apart from Le Monde, Akbar also started selling copies of Charlie Hebdo to students in the Sorbonne and neighboring institutions, contributing to the cultural fabric of the Latin Quarter by upholding a dying tradition with his charm, humor, and dedication.

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