I was just wondering about this. Came across this one discussion board for ESL teachers from America teaching in Mid-east talking about how a lot of them regularly fly to Dubai (or Bahrain) to visit friends, party, relax etc.
I am going to guess that a lot of well to do Pakistanis regularly fly to Dubai just to spend the weekend there and come back. It’s only 1.5 hours away, and I am assuming visas are really easy to get now for Pakistanis going to Dubai.
Also another question I have wondered about for a while. Back in the day for the Pakistanis who were on work visa, if they quit or lost their job, they had to leave within a given time. But now that people can buy property there and get a residence visa, does that still happen? Can’t you theoretically just live there due to that? I am talking about people who can afford the property there, not Raheemo mazdoor, or Waqar driver.
Re: Are weekend visits to UAE a common thing amongst Pakistan's well to do now?
Yes it has become much easier to fly to Dubai and come back than it was lets say five years back. The frequent flights and the options available in terms of the airlines that operate to and from ME to all the major cities of Pakistan has seen significant increase over the years. A fairly recent addition to this is Air Arabia and from what I have heard the airfare to Pakistan and back is almost Rs 2000/-.
Khair, this doesn't affect the rich and mighty in Pakistan.
As for the property, yes you can own a house, an apt, a shop but there is great uncertainity attached to that as it is subject to the laws. Firstly, there is no gurantee that you or anyone would be entitled for the nationality once the property has been bought . Secondly, lets say the Great Sheikh decides to revoke the law tomorrow, the property for which I 'd be paying all those months would be lost over night.
There is a heightened sense of insecurity in UAE at the moment among the expatriates. We know people who are managing their successful businesses there for 40 or so years, their children were born and brought up in UAE but to this day, they can't call themselves 'nationals' of that place.
Re: Are weekend visits to UAE a common thing amongst Pakistan's well to do now?
Apparantly noone can inherit the property after you die either - heard that somewhere.
Re: Are weekend visits to UAE a common thing amongst Pakistan's well to do now?
I am guilty as charged, LOl I travel atleast once a month for a weekend, I like nightlife in Dubai, the bars and night clubs are top quality and service. If you can afford it why not?
Re: Are weekend visits to UAE a common thing amongst Pakistan's well to do now?
What happened to that ferry service? Flopped?
Re: Are weekend visits to UAE a common thing amongst Pakistan's well to do now?
^Bad service, bad planning and promised more than delivered. The whole recipe for a flop venture.
Re: Are weekend visits to UAE a common thing amongst Pakistan's well to do now?
I am going to guess that a lot of well to do Pakistanis regularly fly to Dubai just to spend the weekend there and come back. It's only 1.5 hours away, and I am assuming visas are really easy to get now for Pakistanis going to Dubai.
For what reason? If you have that much money, you can do everything you want to do in Dubai in Pakistan. Dubai is not a scenic destination and even then who wants to go off every week. Dubai is a shopping destination for most Pakistanis and that is about all.