Ali Akbar Akbar, a Pakistani-born newsboy, has been left homeless and experienced extreme poverty.
French President Emmanuel Macron (L), wearing sunglasses, awards the Knight of the French Order of Merit to Ali Akbar, who has been selling newspapers on the streets of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, in the French capital, for 50 years, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, on January 28, 2026. PHOTO: AFP…
Pakistani-born newsboy Ali Akbar is homeless, has experienced extreme poverty and has been attacked.
On Wednesday, President Emmanuel Macron named Akbar, believed to have been the last newspaper peddler in Paris, a knight of the national order of merit in recognition of his service to France.
The French president praised Akbar’s “incredible destiny”, thanking the septuagenarian for having arrived from Pakistan decades ago, for having sold newspapers for 50 years and for having carried France in his heart.
“Dear Ali, thank you for bringing political news to our terraces at the top of your lungs, for warming the hearts of Flore, Deux Magots, Lipp brasserie,” Macron said in his speech at the Elysee Palace, referring to some of the emblematic cafes of the French capital.
“You are the accent of the 6th arrondissement. The voice of the French press,” Macron told Akbar, who was surrounded by his family.
Akbar, known for making up sensational headlines, sells his wares on the elegant streets of Saint-Germain-des-Pres, where he has become a neighborhood legend.
French “has become your language,” Macron told the thin, elegantly dressed man.
“You have learned to play with it, to make it yours. You have carried, if I may say so, the world in your arms and France in your heart,” Macron added.
He praised Akbar as an example of integration that “makes our country stronger and prouder.”
“It is a magnificent example at a time when we so often hear bad news,” Macron said.
French President Emmanuel Macron (CL), wearing sunglasses, poses with Akbar and his relatives after awarding the Knight of the French Order of Merit to Ali Akbar, who has been selling newspapers on the streets of Saint-Germain-des-Prés in the French capital for 50 years, at the Elysee Palace in Paris on January 28, 2026.AFP
“There are also many stories like Ali’s, of women and men who fled poverty to choose a country of freedom.”
Akbar said he was “deeply moved” and already knew what he would shout on the streets of Paris in the coming days.
“That’s it, I’m a gentleman! I did it!” he said in the Elysée.
Akbar came to France hoping to escape poverty and send money to his family in Pakistan. He worked as a sailor and then a dishwasher at a restaurant in the northern city of Rouen.
Then, in Paris, he met the French humorist Georges Bernier, who gave him the opportunity to sell his satirical newspapers. Harakiri and charlie hebdo.
Akbar said last year that he couldn’t believe Macron wanted to give him France’s top honor.
“We crossed paths often when he was a student,” she said then.
Akbar, who receives a pension of 1,000 euros ($1,175) a month, still works every day.
On average, he sells about 30 newspapers each day, compared to between 150 and 200 when he started.
He says he has no plans to stop “entertaining people with my jokes” anytime soon.
“I’m going to continue selling newspapers,” he said.
