Truck art is big business in Pakistan. Karachi, the port city of more than 14 million people, is said to employ over 50,000 people in small family-run paint workshops. Like a medieval guild, a typical Pakistani workshop employs a set of skilled craftsmen for this highly specialized work. An electrician installs wiring; a metal worker fashions art efacts such as the dangling leaf chains; a carpenter carves arabesque inlays on cab doors; an upholsterer embroiders window flaps with silver and gold thread. The master painter creates images with delicate layers and glazes, whilst his assistant helps him with backgrounds and borders. There is even a poet on hand to write an eye-catching poetic inscription. This labour-intensive operation usually takes six to 10 weeks. During this period, many drivers hover around the workshops like part of the extended family, suggesting possible subjects and alterations, earning nothing during the time their truck is being spiffed up. Unbelievably, the majority of truckers lavishly spend money on a full makeover of their vehicles every three or four years.
None of these skills come cheap, but for those who make their living from truck- driving, painting the vehicle is an essential. It may be as a way of expressing thanks for prosperity, to attract customers, or to keep up with all the other decorated trucks. Whatever the reasons for having the painstaking work done, it is expensive. Truck owners frequently spend more on their trucks than their houses, and they will often spend the equivalent of two years' profits on a basic painting and body job. Recently a trucking magnate lavished over 3,00000 on a decoration job which took more than four months to execute. More modestly, Mohammad Ahmed from Murree earns up to 50000 rupees a month, but his truck is being repainted at a cost of 1,00000 rupees. Two years ago he and his brother paid 600,000 rupees for stem-to-stern bodywork. "The money came partly from savings," he said. "In addition, family members gave some money and the rest was a loan. It's all part of business". Drivers are convinced that the money is well spent. "If a driver can't afford to decorate his truck, customers reckon he's no good," said Javed Basir, who transports propane cylinders. "It's practical, too. The taj helps to protect our loads from the eyes of the police. The police are less likely to stop a well-painted truck," he added.
Question 1: How many people are said to be employed in small family-run paint workshops in Karachi, according to the passage?
Answer: According to the passage, it is said that over 50,000 people are employed in small family-run paint workshops in Karachi.
Question 2: What are the various skilled craftsmen involved in the truck-painting process, as described in the passage?
Answer: The passage mentions various skilled craftsmen involved in the truck-painting process, including an electrician, a metal worker, a carpenter, an upholsterer, a master painter, an assistant painter, and even a poet for writing poetic inscriptions.
Question 3: How long does the labor-intensive operation of truck painting usually take, according to the passage?
Answer: According to the passage, the labor-intensive operation of truck painting usually takes between six to 10 weeks.
Question 4: What are some possible reasons mentioned in the passage for truck owners investing in the expensive process of truck painting?
Answer: Possible reasons mentioned in the passage for truck owners investing in the expensive process of truck painting include expressing thanks for prosperity, attracting customers, and keeping up with other decorated trucks.
Question 5: How much money did a trucking magnate spend on a decoration job recently, and how long did it take to execute?
Answer: A trucking magnate spent over 3,00000 rupees on a decoration job recently, which took more than four months to execute.
Question 6: According to Javed Basir, why do drivers believe decorating their trucks is practical?
Answer: According to Javed Basir, drivers believe decorating their trucks is practical because the decoration helps to protect their loads from the eyes of the police, making them less likely to be stopped.
