Thirty-seven years in UAE and looking forward to more
Photo by Eefa Khalid/Dawn.com
I landed in Dubai towards the end of September 1975. That was the time when apart from construction workers, talented young men from Pakistan comprising bankers, insurers, engineers, doctors and other professionals were still migrating from the country in search of greener pastures. Banks and Life Insurance along with several heavy industries had earlier been nationalized by the Bhutto regime leaving behind a large group of talented professionals whose services would be welcome in any country in search of talented manpower, particularly the oil rich kingdom of the Middle East. The Arabs were indebted to Bhutto for teaching them to use their new found oil as a weapon against the West and to face the Western world with dignity and so they were more than happy to reciprocate by offering jobs to Pakistanis in their country.
The Trucial states in the Gulf which had just gained independence from British rule united to form the United Arab Emirates under the dynamic leadership of Shaikh Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi and Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktum in Dubai. The rest of the seven emirates of Sharjah, Ajman, Umal Quwain, Ras Al Khaima and Fujairah all had their respective leaders but lacked the financial strength and the vision of Sh. Zayed and Sh. Rashid. Both were actually Bedouins but tribal leaders who loved their country and its people.
Dubai has been my home for the last 37 years and I would love to stay here as long as I can. This country has given a lot of opportunities to the Pakistanis with whom rulers of the UAE have always had a soft corner. All of them had houses in Pakistan and their holidays were spent on hunting trips to Pakistan. Quite a few of them speak fluent Urdu but sadly few Pakistanis have learnt to speak Arabic. Agha Hassan Abedi, founder of BCCI who had a strong influence on the Arab leaders, was clearly instrumental in bringing UAE and Pakistan closer. He taught his people how to deal with the Arabs, how to talk, dress and present themselves to the outside world. As far as I remember, every single Arab had an account in BCCI and always took pride in dealing with the Pakistani bankers. There was so much of Arab investment coming to Pakistan that Indira Gandhi reportedly asked in one of her Cabinet meetings, “If Pakistan can have an Abedi why can’t India have one?”
Those were the days when Saigols, Valikas, Adamjees, Gokals all had prominent offices here. Arabs looked upon Pakistan with pride and Pakistan continued to play an active role in the economic boom in the UAE. Unfortunately this did not continue for long. Bhutto’s departure from the scene greatly upset the Arabs who had no room for the new military regime. This was followed some years later by the debacle of the BCCI which completely shattered the Arab world, which lost all trust and faith in Pakistan. Over the years, the Pakistani work force greatly reduced and was substantially replaced by the Indians and Far Eastern workers.
Could the situation have been corrected? Not by the leaders but definitely by the Pakistanis still living in the UAE. The Pakistani missions in the UAE did nothing to correct the situation as the diplomats were busy only in receiving VIPs coming to Dubai on shopping trips with their families. The Pakistani community always had a serious attitude problem and was looking for short-cuts at every stage. I had been a member of the Pakistani Professional Forum but left it soon as it did nothing to interact with other forums, which was one of its purposes. Having a dual citizenship, I am also an active member of the Canadian Business Council which meets at least twice a month for discussions on various topics particularly on how to bring in Canadian investments to Dubai. We work closely with the Canadian Consulate here who give the forum their full support. Recently we had a joint meeting and a get-together comprising 17 Business Councils from 17 different countries. I noticed several deals being made and visiting cards being exchanged for follow up. The only country missing was Pakistan which deeply saddened me to see the absence of my own country.
Dubai is a wonderful place to live in – I would honestly say the best in the Gulf. My Canadian friends have often asked me what it was like being amongst the Arabs for so many years. My answer to them was to know the Arabs you have to live with them and I have lived them for 37 years. I cannot speak for the rest of the Arab world but can certainly say that local Arabs in UAE are the most talented and wonderful to live with and they interact with the expatriates with open arms. We celebrate Eid, Diwali, Christmas, Nauroz, New Year and even Halloween with great pleasure. I live in a gated community comprising families from several countries and right now as I write I can see the glow of Diwali lights in my neighbours house. Our closest friends are the Indians who have stood by us at every stage. Unless the Pakistanis come out of their shell and learn to mix around and interact with other communities, they will lose their identity.
The writer is a veteran of the UAE insurance industry. He is a member of Insurance Business Group and an active member of the Canadian Business Council in Dubai.
The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
Iqbal… they treat Pakistanis terribly….
the UAE is a bastion of classism and racism-beyond the borders of your gated community, there is a world of exploitation of migrant labour. this is not to vilify the arab people, or say pakistan is any better, but it is necessary to be aware of that UAE is HARDLY the most just or welcoming place for immigrants, unless they are already well-off.
Once oil is gone, this place becomes a desert again.
Dubai does not have oil.
Lolzzz, The bedouins suffer from an acute sense of inferiority complex. For them an illiterate British is worth more than PhD from Pakistan and Bangla Desh. Also how can one live in a country where you do not have any basic rights! Even after living in that country for 37 years you are still not a UAE citizen!
The writer is a veteran of the UAE insurance industry. He is a member of Insurance Business Group and an active member of the Canadian Business Council in Dubai.
……….
but still he is not a uae national.
Riyals from these sheikdoms destroyed and are still destroying the very fabric of our society . From Hobura bustard to violent jehad, from desert palaces to temporary harems in Rahim Yar Khan, all is fair game in our country for them and still this man loves them
Are you citizen of Dubai ??? or still Pakistani national ??
Do you have the UAE nationality after living 37 years in Dubai? If not, It says all about UAE.
For every one success story, like that of the writer of this article, there would be a hundred live examples of dreams that turned sour in the deserts. On the positive side, though, is that Dubai has transformed completely, and is well on the way to becoming the numero-uno city for what we call the global village, with its multi-racial and multi-cultural expatriate population,
Wait. 37 years in Dubai and you get a Canadian passport? Did you finally get a raise in your salary?
Ask the labor class & low payed workers how they are treated. You will get a completely different picture. And yes I lived in Dubai for years in the 80′s. Life for me was good but you needed to talk to just 1 laborer & get horror stories.
“The debacle of the BCCI which completely shattered the Arab world, which lost all trust and faith in Pakistan” It seems that Mr Iqbal has no idea what happened with BCCI.
Agree! I have travelled throughout the Middle East and must say that the UAE and its People are amongst the best if not the best?
May Allah grant all of us humility and humanity!
What a load of rubbish! Pakistani’s, Indians and other Asian workers are treated are worse than dogs both by the employers and the govt and the whole worlds knows about it.
I do not agree with this whole-heartedly, however I do agree that the labourers from all around the world can do with better living standards and access to basic facilities.
However you must also agree that they do get a better economic opportunity to support their families at home; which coincidently they did not get at home!
But one must flag here that, this point of view reflects a particularly Professional/Business people whether they are from India, Pakistan or from where ever!
Your blessed my friend you stayed in Jannat of UAE for 37 years and want to some more years. We are in this Jahannum of Pakistan where these is suicide bombing in every corner.People fight in the name of sect,religion,province,language etc
So please do something about it instead of complaining. Lets start by not calling your ‘home’…jahanam!!!
There is nothing wrong with Pakistanis that oil money cannot cure.
Isn’t that true for everyone, including Arabs?
I have lived in UAE for 10 years and it is really a terrible place….Arabs are racists and brutal to expatriates….who says they are good…they were never good and never ever would be
Dear Mohaammad , I have lived in some countries including dubai and pakistan – i find pakistaan the most blessed ..it is the people who make the country good or bad – we as people have turned this beautiful country and its beautiful cities uglier – we collectively have to take charge – if our house becomes dirty we clean it …but remember we have the best house
Yes, Iqbal Mian, there is no place like home, as they say, and as you wish to point out, cleanliness is next to Godliness. Also, the feelings that anyone from South Asia has for his home country, whether Pakistan, India, Bangladesh or other, is the same. One can feel happy in one’s own hut, but not in a gilded golden cage that belongs to another.
I have visited Dubai but lived in Saudi Arabia. My experience have been the same, people were kind, helpful and friendly. Even relatives of Royal Family. I guess It mostly depends on how you feel about others and it shows in your attittute. Besides everything good should be taken with the bad like anywhere and everything in life. I guess being a Muslim Al-Hamdulillah Pakistan and Canadian citizen helped. I respected and tried to help whoever I could, whoever asked or needed it within my capacity and I got the same in return. The writer forgot Pakistani Architects, Planners, Interior Designers or with Architectural background professionals, who came in droves and contributed to the development of the Middle East. While Pakistani Consulate staff were helpful, kind and friendly but regarding trade or Pakistani product or material enquiries the response was nill or very poor. While Canadians who came to do business thru Canadian Consulte were timid and unresponsive opposite to Pakistan Consulate.
Overall it has been a very enjoyable experience, fiancially and specially spiirtually rewarding experience, Al-Hamadulillah and Masha’Allah!
I love UAE. People in UAE are loving.So prosperous place and no Taliban.No sectarian,ethnic and religious violence.Mullahs are restricted to their mosques.
I agree with Jimmy, Arabs are selfish and faraway from Islamic values, mostly double faced.
I too agree with jimmy and kayani’s views on arabs – the arabs only favours the white skin people and provide them with all kind of facilities and yet treat our asian and black people with low dignity and sometime I head also call our asian workers as ‘beggars’ in their country.
@m h Kayani: we all know that “Islamic values” are working really well in Pakistan.Please spare the rest of us.
These same UAE Arabs also fanned the flames of extremism in far off lands of Afghanistan and Pakistan, bought off their rulers and hunted the wildlife there to extinction. They also gave refuge to drug peddlers, counterfeiters and criminal fleeing justice — no I am not taking names. Why no credit for that ?
I have worked with Arabs all over the world, most devious, unreliable, intolerant and trouble makers.
I have been living here in Riyadh for last 21 years. yes indeed some of them are arrogant but still they are far better than Pakistanis.
Arabs are the most devoted Muslims in the world, that’s why God has awarded them with every thing. They are real Muslim brothers and donate what they can to their Muslim brothers. Those who are working as Laborer (Engineers, Doctors to workers from Pakistan), they are selfish and dishonest, they are the people who make hole in their own plat. Why they don’t stay in Pakistan and work for Pakistan. If you are going for bread then don’t complain. They are not going to allow you to stay at their home.
Once you sign an agreement you are bound to follow.
God has not awarded them anything. British and Americans invented the automobile, and then the Americans found oil for them. The world is yet to see the achievements of the Arabs.
A lot of star struck Pakistanis, worshippers of Mammon.
I thought Arabs were great friends with Zia. Matching dollar for dollar is what I heard.
Yes, you can stay another 37 years, build houses, buy and may be own properties, but one day, they will send you back, you can never get a life time residency/nationality. One small decision from the UAE gov. and all your investments will go in vain. This is how these arabs are. They offered residencies to all who buy properties, than one day, they changed thier minds..this is what they are..
Great article and so true. I have noted that the Pakistani mission in the UAE does nothing, an embarrassing waste of time. I have had a lot of interaction with the Indian mission and it is fantastic how involved they are. I tried with the Pakistani mission but to no avail.
We do need to appreciate the Emiraties more, they are welcoming and they do not get in your Business or way. Wish them a great National Day.
We have been very lucky to live in uae , I have personally witnessed the progress for last fifteen years.UAE is like home for a million PAkistanis.I personally admire the management skills and unity of the leaders of this country.We have to salute SHeikh Zayed for his vision and uniting the people.UAE is a blessing for PAkistanis , and infact the prosperity of UAE defnitely have a huge impact for PAkistan. Salute to UAE and great leaders and lovely people
Mr Mankani,
Being familiar with the local dynamics in Dubai/UAE what kind of help and support would you like from the Pakistani stakeholders to revive the status that has been lost? We may not be able to get to the same interactive level that you mention with your Candian partners right away, but starting small and evaluationg the next steps can be an option. Open to you suggestions.