“My future is in Hong Kong.”

On the first floor of Chungking Mansions, the bright, vibrant orange interior of Chakwal International Hair Salon immediately catches the eye.

What started 34 years ago as a modest two-chair barbershop has grown into a local staple. Opened in 1992 by Niaz and his brother Nissar, the salon bears the name of their hometown, Chakwal, located in north-eastern Pakistan.

Barbering is in Niaz’s blood. His family has practised the craft for generations in Pakistan. In the 90s, his grandfather and father moved to Hong Kong, bringing a teenage Niaz with them to continue the family legacy in a new city.

Through decades of hard work, the business has flourished. That original tiny shop has expanded into three interconnected units that can now accommodate seven clients at once. The salon currently employs over ten Pakistani staff and one part-time colleague from Canada. “I treat them like my family,” Niaz says warmly.

Many of the customers work within Chungking Mansions, and over time, these clients have become close friends. From Pakistanis, Filipinos, and Nepalis to Bangladeshis and local Chinese residents, people from all walks of life push through the salon doors to get a fresh look, all set to the energetic beat of Urdu pop music.

For those used to the frantic pace of Hong Kong’s “quick-cut” shops, Chakwal offers a different kind of experience—one that rewards patience. During our visit, we witnessed the art of thread-shaping and hair-cutting. With one end of a fine cotton thread held between his teeth, a barber skilfully plucked away stray hairs with rhythmic precision. The result—two perfectly groomed eyebrows—took about fifteen minutes of careful work. Half an hour later, a sharp fade was complete, and the barber finished with a simple request: “Give me a smile.”

The salon’s success is rooted in a work ethic that hasn’t wavered in decades. Niaz and his team work 13-hour shifts, from 9 am to 10 pm, every single day. Niaz himself almost never takes a day off. Yet, no matter how busy the shop gets, as a devoted Muslim, he always makes time for his daily prayers at the Kowloon Masjid nearby.

During our interview, Niaz’s phone rang constantly with friends calling to check in. Outside the salon, a row of cushioned stools is always laid out, inviting friends to sit, chat, and share a cup of masala tea, whether they are getting a haircut or not. To Niaz, these moments of connection are his version of a break: “This is my holiday.”

Nowadays, Niaz returns to Chakwal every few months to visit his family, especially his 6-year-old daughter. He plans to bring her to Hong Kong soon so the family can stay together. To him, Hong Kong has become just as much a home as the town he was born in. “My future is in Hong Kong.”