Living in Pakistan?

Re: Living in Pakistan?

Living in Pakistan is good, if your husband and his parents are part of the upper class. If they own a nice house, and have several servants to do the major household tasks, and live in the nice upper class society area, only then will you be happy about moving there. Otherwise, it will most likely be very hard on you and not a smart decision. Do NOT go by any feelings you may have for him, make a decision based on how much benefit it will bring you. Also keep in mind that if you bring him to UK, it WILL take him a long time to get settled. Most women want a husband who can provide for them.

Re: Living in Pakistan?

1- at what distance does his control end. 100 miles, 500 miles, 1000 miles?
2- regardless of how far she is if her siblings and mom will face wrath..they will face wrath..

Re: Living in Pakistan?

It's not as easy as it sounds. You're comparing your dad to your phoopi... fact is, no matter how bad you think ur dad is right now... truth is, when you are living with your inlaws, you will naturally start to believe your dad was infact perfect and right.. and your saas/phoopi is horrible.

Reading your post brought back soooo many memories.. soooo many discussions with someone i love so much. But what I realised was, it was like banging my head on the wall... if you have made up your mind and you have come up with all the arguments to support your decision, there is nothing anyone can say that will sway you the other way.

Maybe, the best people to speak to or seek advice from are the ones who were in the same position you are in.. they can probably guide you the best.

It'll be tough. Very tough. Not just living standards or what not (and it doesnt matter if you move into a well-off family). It's just a different way of life.

Re: Living in Pakistan?

^^ ditto to what sadz said.

Re: Living in Pakistan?

It all seems romantic and wonderful now since you're in love from a distance and not thinking clearly or practically. You were raised in the UK and a totally different culture, yes it was British Pakistani culture at home, even if racially you are Pakistani. Once you start living day to day life in Pakistan for a month or more especially in a joint family set up where everybody lives pretty close by you will feel hard reality. Marriage is a totally different scenario. If you read the threads here, you will see how complicated it gets and you and your fiance will not be the exception when it comes to facing similar life situations and obstacles which are even more difficult in Pakistan.

I guess take the advice given here pretty seriously because there were a lot of valid points that were brought up.

Re: Living in Pakistan?

emotional blackmail as in you dancing to your dad's tune will continue regardless of distance if he is using your mum and sisters as bargaining chips. aside from being strong yourself, you need to have a husband that can stand toe to toe with your dad, look him in the eye and tell him to back off. you find that man and you become a strong person and you can do what you want even if you live next door.

Re: Living in Pakistan?

Your situation brings back memories! I was brought up in Aus and moved to pak after getting married (Mamoos son) I've been here three years and I'll be straight with you it's definitely not easy. Not saying I regret it though, I would have had regrets had I not married the love of my life. It all depends on how tolerable you are. Every marriage has it's ups an downs and to add environment change and pakistan mentality to the mix it's not the easiest.

You said the other brothers have moved out, are they still involved with the family business? Sadly a lot of families split up when there is business and more than one brother involved.. Consider this? If you intend to be a housewife then you will be spending day and night with your saas, your every move will involve her in some way. Your husband will be busy with his own work. And what about kids? There's a lot to think about... Just discuss it with your fiancé
You mention heat, Pakistan is HOT. You come out of a cold shower and start sweating immediately. And in the summer there can be hours with no light, do you have a generator and aircon at your house?

The biggest thing is you haven't been to pakistan for so many years, you have to prepare yourself. If you do have the backup plan of moving back to the uk make sure you talk about this before getting married, will your fiancé be able to leave the business and his fam?
How close are your friends and family? Do they live in the same city in Pakistan?

For me, It all depends on how committed you are, this will effect how you deal with different unpleasant situations.

Also, leaving your overbearing dad is one thing, will you be happy leaving the rest of your family with him?

Sorry for the long post!

Re: Living in Pakistan?

Its about your priorities! Having lived part of my life abroad, i knew i had the option and means to go back for my further studies however i decided to stay back just because what staying here gives me, out benefits what i would have got from the other option. And this is coming from someone for whom good education is of extreme importance.

Yes when i came back initially there were adjustment issues despite being provided by the best available here. But with time and support you can transit nicely.

Go for it only if you are sure of your priorities! Good-luck.

Re: Living in Pakistan?

This is a really valid point. Distance such as you mention won't diminish all the control but being in a different country will mean that my father will not be able to use me as his personal secretary and I won't get tied into any paper work with him which binds me to him forever.

Not being boastful or anything but I am very tolerant and all I want is respect and happiness. I am not crazy in love as others have suggested, I am just having to grow up at a young age and along with it, if I find love then I will be luckiest girl alive. I am not doubting his love for me, just not sure about love for him yet. Its early days.

I understand that every marriage has its ups and downs and that is why I have low expectations for everything, I am a person who can adjust very easily. I like to keep the peace. Although it has been a while since I was last in Pakistan and I remember the heat and all, I am not British born and lived the first 9-10 years of my live in Pakistan and I have very fond memories and also remember the negatives.

Yes the brother moved out on his wife's request and they live in the City where the business is situated. One brother handles one side of the business and the younger, the other side. The middle brother turned out a sorry state - his in ability to adjust to his wife led to a divorce and he now resides in the UK nearer to us and doesn't handle any of the business.

I understand the issues about kids and living with my sass day in and day out, I am thinking about it all very deeply. Nothing is set in stone yet and yes I have consulted him over all this as well.

Yes I know about the hotness of Pakistan, the house that I will be shifting into is air conditioned and there is all the generator things as well. Our own house is not like that at all so I seem to remember the heat more intensely because of that.

I have a few friends close by but most of my friends are not from Pakistan.
I am a big committer, I don't back away easily and can adjust quite well. Not saying that I can moulded into whatever someone wants but still.

It sure is! I also study at the moment and everything else seems to fit in nicely. I have an exam during the summer which I have the option of taking in Pakistan and because I study with the OU, I can have study breaks of up to 6 years and then get back to my studies. I am not going to be doing this however there is the option.

Re: Living in Pakistan?

What's the OU?

Re: Living in Pakistan?

^Open University.. it's in the UK..

It's possible to do distance learning with them so you can study from home..

Re: Living in Pakistan?

G Ayaa Nooh!
:)

Living in Pakistan?

Coffee girl, the part about sponsoring him now so you can make use of the time, in Canada and the US they have a fiancé visa and a spouse visa. You should all probably do all the immigration homework before setting dates etc so your aware of the whole process. The more involved you are the more informed you'll be on the process and can make decisions with your fiancé based off that. For the fiancé visa, you don't have to be married, your bringing your fiancé over to have the wedding held in UK if you decide to live there, it's something like a 6 month window from the time he gets consent to come for the wedding to take place (legally at least.) UK must have something similar. Anyways do your homework on the immigration stuff...

Re: Living in Pakistan?

I agree that Pakistan may seem to have a better lifestyle than most of us here as most of our family reside there. But like other people have mentioned its a big difference going to pk for a short holiday and living there forever. I mean there are many issues like safety, corruption, security and all but it really depends where you are going to stay.

Personally I think the only way of living there permanently is only if you are very well off and live in a big city with all the amenities. I'v recently come back from a holiday in Pak and have to say that the lifestyle in the bigger cities like Islamabad/ Karachi are much better than the way we live here like you said there's more 'ronak' there lol.

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^ Ronak doesnt satisfy your life and doesnt remove all impediments

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Salam
May I suggest .living with your loved ones is worth such small risks.

You can get a good job in Pakistan .
British accent will be an added advantage.

You still have UK citizenship.
What will you loose if you decide to move to Pakistan?
May Allah help you.

Re: Living in Pakistan?

At least get your degree before you want to get your on the adventure.