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.
There is nothing of worth ever come out of ignorant Arabs. All the worlds ills could be got rid of if we could only vanish that part of the world.
Its a PITY that the writer could not afford to get UAE citizenship after 37 years and had to go to Canada to get one. Still he calls it home?
The writer will be shown the door as soon as he retires and then he will flock to Canada. I know many Pakistani’s from Dubai who get Canadian immigration decieving the Canadian Embassy that they will actually move to Canada but just play back and forth and get a Canadian Passport so that they can show it to Arabs.
I agree Mr. Iqbal Mankani. Dubai is really a wonderful place but for whom? For upper class people. I have seen labors especially the old and aged people. Who work for the whole day but earn very less. The food price, health and education is very very difficult for these labors. The Arab government is rich but don’t support such people. Unlike European countries, If you live for few years you can get free education, medical and even nationality. Especially there is a lack of standard education system for the children of middle or lower class people. There is also a need of religious schools like Madrassa. Our Pakistan is the best place to live. This is our Pakistan. And why should we leave our Pakistan? Its enemies (the corrupt people) will leave, InshaAllah. Because this is our PAKISTAN. PAKISTAN ZINDA BAAD.
A Little exagerated, I have also lived in UAE. Pakistanis are considered 5th grade citizens. First Locals offcource, then Eurpeans, other Arabs, Indian, Pakistan, Bangl etc. Racism is everywhere even in Pakistan, various nationalities. If you survive without taking any major collision with their laws and regulation you may survive even more. But I have seen people who lived there 20+ years but were skeptical about what would happen tomorrow.
I agree with the comments except the attitude of the UAE nationals. Only a few individuals are hospitable towards other nationalities but mostly they treat South Asian as slaves. But off course burden falls on us because our politicians and leaders have left no respect for the nation,
Totally false, untrue and completely ridiculous article. I have never seen something more farther from truth appearing in Dawn. The Sheikhs of UAE are severely racist against Ex-Pats. The writer seems completely cut off from reality.
Of course the writer has to paint a rosy picture. He’s living in the country. His true opinions will only emerge if we talk to him anonymously.
“They interact with the expatriates with open arms.” !?! That’s such a false statement. It cannot be stated how further that is from the truth! UAE Locals rarely like to even interact with Expatriates. They consider us Pakistanis the lowest of the low.
“They interact with the expatriates with open arms.” Yes, if you are a Canadian dual citizen, highly qualified and well paid, look like a Westerner and remain in your social place. No if you not. International media had reported of child camel jockeys (now banned?), laborers toiling unearthly hours in 130 degree heat, deprived of passports and deported if complain about the wages paid which can be a lot less than promised or late by months. I am an admirer of Dubai but have no first hand experience of the locals and hope the conditions have improved.
For all those pointing out the faults of U.A.E……please do a little reflection on your own countries as I am sure you would agree that there are prblems in all countries!
Thus we should highlight the positives of any nation/people approaching National Days and Anniversaries!
The work to improve and continues behind scenes as Rome was not Built in a day!
Writer should also speak about UAE’s ban on Canadians travelling to Dubai. Visa has complicated travel to Dubai which makes it difficult for Canadian to interact with their counterparts.
This shows that if people are employed and have a decent standard of living terrorism will come down. Radical mullahs do not want this to happen and lead unemployed youth to follow terrorism. Moral of the story is a strong economy which gives people a living will create progress in the society
Does this include the slave South Asian labor?
lol @ “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 “. It was the West who told the Arab world about oil under their ground and its use. It is american companies which are pumping out the oil in the arab world. If the west was not buying that oil for the last 70 years, UAE, Saudi wouldn’t have all the money that they do. All the mega contruction projects in those places are given to western firms. The malls and all are flooded with western goods. The author is living in a lala land
Let the oil finished and they will be slave again in nextt 100 years.Because America is not using it’s oil reserve to the fully extent and buying cheap from middle east. Once the middle east reserve finished then they don;t have any other source of energy will have to depends on US for alternative energy source and then become slave again if they don’t find the alternative energy source and the technology to use it.
So what?west needed the oil they bought it, if India had she could also sell it. Have the Europe not been subject of Russian black mail when it comes to natural gas, west is lucky Arabs are not as powerful as Russis otherwise this oil could ve been used more effectively.
Many things very rightly pointed out by the writer. We live in our shell and interact with other communities at our own convenience. The biggest drawback is we try to interact with people on our own terms and try to extort respect. I have noticed this when I travelled to China, US and now in UAE. We dont mix with others but expect others to be tolerant when it comes to our cultures and traditions.
This article is filled with exaggeration. The writer claim to spend 37 years and yet he had nothing to say about citizenship policy of the country. If you spend 5 years in US, you are considered loyal to the country by getting citizenship.
The success story of a successful person.Dubai indeed is a wonderful place.It is also true that PakistaniProfessionals were highly respected as heads of organizations of well known business groups in late seventies and mid eighties but they failed to share the vision of UAE enterpreneurs and started to loose ground to other nationalities and now they are mostly at middle level or less.It is too late to rebound.Our duty today is to rebuild pakistan our homelnd.You have very little time left Mr Iqbal.Please give it to pakistan without considering what pakistan will give you.I sincerely hope you are not already CANADIAN.
A wonderful piece of writing. I agree with the writer. I live and work in Dubai for more than 5 years now. I find most of the Locals in Dubai friendly and helpful comparing to other Arab countries. If you speak Arabic, you are most welcome, If you can’t they will reply to you in Urdu or English whichever you prefer. I feel secure here. My life, my family’s life, my investment, all is in safe hands.
I left Pakistan in 2001. Infact it would be better to say I ran away from Pakistan in 2001. I lived in Ireland and UK for over 5 years. I feel like coward but there’s nothing much I can or could do to change the fate of Pakistan. Anyone sincere is killed or is being put behind bars. Just recently, few months back a group of people, comprising around 15 broke into my house in Karachi, made them hostage on gun points and robbed them.
This is not my Pakistan.
My Pakistan was supposed to be a safe heaven. Where prosperity and friendship has to be an exemplary for the world. Rather it is turning to be insecure, ruled by corrupt politicians, criminals wandering around our streets, police terrorizing good citizens, So called Taliban jeopardising our society values, Army sitting quite in their barracks.
This is not my Pakistan
You ran away in 2001 when the situation was a million times better. Today, in 2012, under our famous political party rule, the situation has detoriated massively. Crime is done so openly and freely. I too had to run away as our personal and business assets were contantly being attacked in one way or another, and yes, by the politicians.
I am here in Saudi now, yes its much safer, but i must say i do not share the same view regarding the friendliness of the local arabs. Even our Pakistani community here has lost it. Its the western community which is the most friendly and intellectual
I lived in Dubai in the 90s. I recently visited the emirate and found everything scaled up – bigger shopping malls, taller buildings, more facilities … which makes it a wonderful place – to visit if you have money. What hasn’t changed is the inherent racism of locals in favour of white people who get fat salaries and unbelievable perks. The labourer – almost always from subcontinent – was paid 600 dirhams 20 years ago, he is still getting the same salary when prices of roti, tea, and maska bun have gone up manifold. The writer is probably talking about a Dubai different from the one these labourers know.
Exagerrated story about Arabs, especially the way they deal with foreigners in general and people from Indo-Pak in particular. One thing true though in this article was the indifference from our foreign missions, the same story everywhere. Our lazy government servants carry the same culture everywhere.
The wriote speak of as he is the only one who mixes with other people. I can assure the writer that we Pakistanis do mix quite a lot. We are also quite well traveled. You find Pakistani cummunities all over the world, Far East, Middle East, Europe and America etc.
A bit too much of praise, given the country and esp their laws for foreigners are far from perfect.
Exaggeration by writer “…but can certainly say that local Arabs in UAE are the most talented and wonderful to live ”
Contradictory statement “…Unless the Pakistanis come out of their shell and learn to mix around and interact with other communities, they will lose their identity “?
To writer, my advise is to keep it REAL.
To Editor of Daily Dawn, please read before publishing.
I am living and working in Dubai from last 1 years i would say i have no problem with locals, we only interact with them when we need to go to some public sector office. Otherwise locals and ex. pat lives in different localities.
I would say these UAE Arabs are good and have a very good manners, for example when you are crossing a road the ex. pat will hardly stop a car but the locals will always give you way.
Workers class life is tough .. they need to work 12 hours and most of them only one day off in a month, my building security told me all this.
The sub contractors exploit the worker class by paying less and working more… its worse working hours for labor as back in Pakistan or any other country where labor only works eight hours.
They need to improve the life and working of laborers which are the back bone of the UAE.
Is this an attempt to persuade them not to force you out of the country when you retire?
may be … but without visa they will kick you out in no time