One man who is no stranger to those lonesome highways is 51-year-old Javed Mohammed Iqbal from Rajasthan in India. He started working in the Kingdom in 1984, but left during the first Gulf War.
He has spent the last 18 years working for Saudi Automotive Services Co. (SASCO), a publicly listed firm that runs several rest houses, gas stations, supermarkets and restaurants along the Kingdom’s highways. Travelers often seek out the palm logo for fuel and rest during long journeys.
Iqbal has worked at many of his company’s rest houses and restaurants and his job has taken him to the remote corners of the Kingdom. “Every two or three years we at SASCO move over to new stations. Some of them are located near remote borders,” he told Arab News.
He now works at a small station near Al-Halban about 300 km from Riyadh down the Makkah Highway. “I have been here for almost two years.”
The job at SASCO provides him with the opportunity to make new friends from diverse backgrounds.
“All kinds of travelers stop at SASCO stations. We are seen as the best and most comfortable rest stops along the highways. Our stations are considered very safe, and you get all services under one roof. I have had the honor of meeting many incredible people at different stations at which I have been posted during my 18 years of service.”
Among all his postings, he said the most enjoyable stations included the one located between Makkah and Madinah.
“The Makkah-Madinah station was the busiest. There used to be no time for idle gossip. Plus, serving the guests of God was a great feeling. I met many different and important people at that station.” It was during this posting that he met well-known Pakistani cricketer Inzamamul Haq.
Iqbal’s other favorite was at Halathmar near the Jordanian border. “That station used to be busy, as well. The travelers coming in from Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Syria and Morocco would stop at this station. As long as travelers are visiting the station it keeps us busy and occupied, otherwise it becomes very difficult to spend time. Our stations on the highways are far from the cities, so we rarely go out. All our accommodations are located behind the station, so there is not much activity.”
What happens when they get sick or need bank services? “We have to go to the nearest place. Like from this station we have to travel 30 km to Al-Halban for banking and health-care facilities.”
The worst part is when desert winds raise the dust aloft. “Once, one of my colleagues fell unconscious and couldn’t breathe. We had to take him to the hospital far away, and Alhamdulillah he survived. Dust storms are the worst times.”
Remember the next time you pull into a remote-area rest stop that the expatriates manning the lonely stations appreciate the company.
“I love my job. It helps me provide food to my family in India,” said Iqbal. “The salary is decent, and I have no complaints.”