Paris to honour Pakistani-origin newspaper vendor with prestigious award

A 73-year-old newspaper vendor, hailing from Pakistan, is set to receive one of France’s highest civilian distinctions after more than five decades of selling newspapers in the heart of Paris.

Ali Akbar, a familiar figure on the terraces of cafés and restaurants in the city’s historic Latin Quarter, will be named a knight of the National Order of Merit this September. 

The award, bestowed by President Emmanuel Macron, recognises Akbar's distinguished service to France in both civilian and military life.

A native of Rawalpindi in northern Pakistan, Akbar moved to France in 1973. He began his career selling copies of the satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo to students at the Sorbonne and nearby institutions, quickly becoming known for his warm personality and signature sales style.

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“I just love the feel of paper,” Akbar said. “I don’t like tablets and all that kind of stuff. But I do like reading. Whatever the type. Real books. But never on screens.”

Despite the sharp decline in print media over the decades, from the rise of television in the 1970s to the dominance of digital platforms today, Akbar remains the last street-walking newspaper vendor in Paris.

“I have a certain way of selling newspapers. I try to make jokes. So people laugh. I try to be positive and I create an atmosphere... I try and get into people’s hearts, not their pockets,” he explained.

Yet the challenges of the digital age are undeniable, as Akbar noted, “I sell about 20 copies of Le Monde in eight hours. Everything is digital now. People just don’t buy newspapers.” 

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Still, Akbar has no plans to stop. As long as his health allows, he says he will continue walking the streets, offering newspapers and smiles.

“Ali is an institution. I buy Le Monde from him every day. In fact, we do a little more than buy Le Monde for him. We have coffee with him, sometimes we have lunch with him,” said a longtime customer Marie-Laure Carriere.