AP PHOTOS: Pakistani truck art elevates heavy transport into mobile masterpieces

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan — Trucks thunder along Pakistan's dusty highways and through bustling city streets, like rolling canvases ablaze with color and poetry, transforming heavy transport into mobile masterpieces and offering a window into the country's folk culture.

The roots of Pakistani truck art go back to British colonial rule, when owners began adorning their vehicles with intricate floral patterns, calligraphy, and cultural motifs.

What started as modest embellishments has evolved into artistry. Painters, welders, electricians, and metalworkers collaborate to elevate commercial trucks into personalized symbols of pride and regional identity.

There are camel bone inlays in Balochistan, intricate wood carvings in Peshawar, and disco-inspired detail in Rawalpindi.

Muhammad Ashfaq, a 55-year-old from Rawalpindi, has been painting trucks for over four decades.

''Each client comes with their own vision and budget,'' said Ashfaq. ''We ask which style they prefer: Peshawar, Hazara, Swat, Pindi, Mandi Bahauddin, or Karachi.''

Pindi style is considered the most flamboyant, characterized by vivid colors, elaborate stickers, mirror work, and dense layering of design elements.

''Pindi style is like a bride getting ready for her wedding,'' says Farrukh Sana, a truck driver who recently upgraded his vehicle with the vibrant design. ''We feel happy when people admire our truck. It's a symbol of hard work and beauty.''

Styles vary according to cost and components, as well as color and complexity.

A full refurbishment of a truck can cost between 2 to 5 million rupees (about $7,000 to $17,790), depending on the materials used and if major elements like the tires and the chassis are replaced.

But, beyond mere decoration, the trucks also bear poetry, religious messages, and personal slogans, reflecting the aspirations, humor, and emotions of their drivers.

Truck art has transcended cargo vehicles, finding its way onto rickshaws, buses, and even household decor.

It first caught global attention in the 1970s, when foreign tourists started photographing the unusually bright vehicles. Since then, truck art has inspired international exhibitions and influenced contemporary fashion and product design.

The distinctly South Asian tradition endures despite Pakistan's economic hardships. Artisans like Ashfaq remain devoted to the craft, while drivers like Sana view their trucks as more than a livelihood. They are seen as roving cultural ambassadors.

''Every driver dreams of making his truck look unique,'' Sana says with pride. ''When we drive it out and people turn their heads, we know we've created something special.''