Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
You are perhaps a US citizen and he is perhaps UK citizen (????), so there is no harm in giving it a try. Why dont you talk to him and tell him your concerns and if he still insist on moving to Khi, tell him that you will give it a try and but want to keep door of moving back open.
PS: Although I'll agree with the assessment that safety is a bit of worry in Pakistan these days.
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
The biggest disadvantage I see in this situation is the problem of finding a job when moving back to USA/UK. When someone comes to these countries with Pakistani experience, he has to start from scratch.
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
OP, check out this thread: http://www.paklinks.com/gs/travel-and-tourism/539538-moving-to-karachi.html
How often have you visited Pakistan, are your extended family there liberal or conservative, are you used to having a lot of freedom, going and coming as you please etc, are you ok with intense heat in the summer etc. There is a LOT to consider.. Not saying it’s not possible but it’s not as easy as some ppl here are making out (esp the male posters born + brought up there who don’t realise there are so many differences in culture + lifestyle as well as practical issues)..
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
Leave the option of going back open. If you cannot converse in Urdu, have not visit often- it will be quite a culture shock for you. Unless you are able to compromise for the sake of your hubby and also his job. Why not go and give it a try- keeping in mind you will not like it :D If you do not live in Defence/Clifton, adapting will take quite some time.
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
istikhara recommended!
My fiance has just gotten a job in Karachi that he does not want to refuse, hes been in UK for over 5 years and I have been born and raised in NY. Although I did go to Pakistan for 3 years during my teenage years, I feel like I cannot settle in Pakistan again, even though its temporary (for a few years, or so he says...) We've always imagined living in either America or UK after marriage. His pay is just OK but they have also offered me a position and with that we should be able to live comfortably ( I hope, since we don't really know exactly how the expenses are in Karachi as I have heard that living in Pakistan is actually very expensive). My other issue is Safety, most of my family members are telling me its a horrible idea yet somehow the people he is speaking to is telling him to take the position as well as people at his work. I don't know what to do, my fear is that if I tell him that I'm not able to move to Pakistan is that he will always mention to me that because of me he did not take this position.. I am so confused! ADVISE NEEDED!
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
lol. can i advise here?
I think you should really think before you do this. i did the same thing. its very very hard. but if you will be working, and if your not living with inlaws…i think youll be ok. but its still hard.
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
**Anyways what is disturbing me is how come your fiancee got a better paying job here? **People actually move out of Pakistan for better paying jobs and not the other way around e.g. even blue collar workers earn atleast $2000/month in the US while in Pakistan even experienced professionals with 10 years of experience and working in MNCs hardly earn around Rs. 200,000/month (equivalent to USD 2000). So if its not too personal, maybe share the job details including salary for a better response with respect to future?
I do think there is anything disturbing here, as I notice that corporates in Pakistan are really finding difficult to hire right Type of people, even my daughter who was just 24 years old and less then 2 years of experiave was offered 200K for a regional marketing position in an MNC.
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
AKUH (Agha Khan university hospital) is very reputable organisation, and both of you are well paid according to Pakistan standard.
I would be only worried about street crimes the rest is not big issue, Cliftion and Defance are the only area suitable for but you need to commute daily (which is about 30-45 minute). But because it is up market and relatively safe.
I think you should give it try for few years, once you have children then you might think about moving out of Pakistan.
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
you shouldn't be scared of living in Pakistan. I don't think its as bad as the news portrays. of course anyone outside of Karachi will tell you its the most dangerous place! (you know city rivalry and such). I've lived in countries similar to Pakistan and yes the danger was there but as long as you were careful and didn't do anything stupid, then you should be ok.
Please try not to be gullible as you might get ripped off time to time in stores and such.
The only thing I'm skeptical about is future opportunities and finances. As you are a doctor you'll probably earn more than an average worker in Pakistan but would it be enough if you two decided to move back abroad? Also will other hospitals accept that hospital?
Another disadvantage for you would be the language how do you expect to communicate with your patients if English is not enough? They would expect you to know Urdu since you're Pakistani living in Pakistan.
I would say wait a few years and then go to Pakistan.
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
The biggest disadvantage I see in this situation is the problem of finding a job when moving back to USA/UK. When someone comes to these countries with Pakistani experience, he has to start from scratch.
Disagree. What's Pakistani experience? Experience is experience. For example, one lady I know is working as a Professor in my city's university (one of the most prestigious in the country). She's a doc, completed all her education in Pakistan, worked there for a few years, then came here and got this job. I've seen countless other examples of Pakistanis (fresh immigrants), in my own family too, grabbing high-paying jobs here in Europe and I'm sure you and everyone has too.
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
but those universities/jobs are recognized by the country right? there are many universities/companies/nationalities that are not recognized by other countries. Thus making life harder for educated immigrants.
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
I think there's been a misunderstanding, I am not a doctor, but have gotten my masters in healthcare administration, hes a doctor but not a medical one, he has gotten his phd in biotechnology which means he would be mostly working in the labs of agha khan.. I've been told by many agha khan students that you will find agha khan doctors anywhere in America as they always are able to find jobs. I am a US citizen but my fiance is Pakistani and we're almost done with his visa process for his greencard. My fiance keeps telling me that its always better to apply for jobs from the number 1 University from Pakistan with UK education than some Number 15 university in UK.
I've been going to Pakistan my whole life, but since I am originally from Peshawar, I only speak in Pushto as that was the language my mother taught me.
I've been thinking of doing istikhara but I want someone else to do it for me, someone who is totally outside of my family circle so that it could be totally bias. My thinking may be wrong but that's just my view on Istikhara.
Theres an area called Malir Cantt that is close to agha khan and I've heard is a safe neighborhood. Anyone have any views on this area? I think a 30-45 minute commute would be quite annoying specially with traffic and rush.
How much would it be to get a car on lease (not very expensive but not very cheap as well) ? will we be able to live comfortably with 2 lakhs a month?
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
Yes I understand ye are not medical doctors. I'm saying you and your husband should have no problem finding a decent job in UK/US after having worked in Pakistan for a few years because (a) you have both completed your education from abroad and (b) working for a reputable organisation like Agha Khan is definitely excellent experience and it will not be disregarded. So my advice to you would be to definitely give it a go, as far as benefiting from the experience is concerned. With regards to advising on other issues like security situation, cultural barrier, living expenses etc, that's something I'll leave to those who're currently residing in Karachi/Pakistan.
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
Btw I agree with Kakee about how people often exaggerate how dangerous a place is… I live in the so-called “stab city” of Ireland. 
In Dublin, you’d hear people say heck I’m never going down to that city, as if you’d be shot dead the minute you arrive here! Yes this place is known for its gang culture but I’ve been living here for years and apart from some petty street crime incidents I’ve never experienced anything life-threatening… mainly because I’m very vigilant. Like Kakee said don’t do anything stupid like roam around outside on your own in the evening. I’m sure if I went out on my own at night time, I’d have been stabbed by now by some drunkard or gypsy.
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
Disagree. What's Pakistani experience? Experience is experience. For example, one lady I know is working as a Professor in my city's university (one of the most prestigious in the country). She's a doc, completed all her education in Pakistan, worked there for a few years, then came here and got this job. I've seen countless other examples of Pakistanis (fresh immigrants), in my own family too, grabbing high-paying jobs here in Europe and I'm sure you and everyone has too.
Experience in standardized professions like doctors does not make any difference. Same is the case with professions where technical knowledge is more important than degree, experience or company e.g. engineering and IT. But for other professions it matters a lot what kind of company you have worked for and the country you have worked in e.g Law or MBA.
And I didn't say that Pakistani experience won't get you a job but it will put you at a disadvantage when there's a tough competition.
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
With the kind of degree your husband has, he wouldn't have an issue finding a job in the U.S too. So if he can get well paying job here and you are also getting paid well, what's the need to move to Pakistan unless there as some other issue beside financial.
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
I also agree with people who are saying that once you plan to move back, your experience will matter. You'll have to go through all the lic. exams to work in the lab that pays well. Your Pakistani experience will count but you'll still have to pass the exams in the U.S. No matter what field you are in, if you don't pass the exams here, you won't get high paying jobs.
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
I think there's been a misunderstanding, I am not a doctor, but have gotten my masters in healthcare administration, hes a doctor but not a medical one, he has gotten his phd in biotechnology which means he would be mostly working in the labs of agha khan.. I've been told by many agha khan students that you will find agha khan doctors anywhere in America as they always are able to find jobs. I am a US citizen but my fiance is Pakistani and we're almost done with his visa process for his greencard. My fiance keeps telling me that its always better to apply for jobs from the number 1 University from Pakistan with UK education than some Number 15 university in UK.
I've been going to Pakistan my whole life, but since I am originally from Peshawar, I only speak in Pushto as that was the language my mother taught me.
I've been thinking of doing istikhara but I want someone else to do it for me, someone who is totally outside of my family circle so that it could be totally bias. My thinking may be wrong but that's just my view on Istikhara.
Theres an area called Malir Cantt that is close to agha khan and I've heard is a safe neighborhood. Anyone have any views on this area? I think a 30-45 minute commute would be quite annoying specially with traffic and rush.
How much would it be to get a car on lease (not very expensive but not very cheap as well) ? will we be able to live comfortably with 2 lakhs a month?
Malir Cantt is pretty safe, it's an army cantonment, with the Pak Army protecting the Area. Doesn't matter if the city's on fire, you won't know about it inside the Cantonment. You've got the commute times right too. But I suggest that you research Askari 4, PNS Karsaz and PAF Base Faisal too. All these place are at about a 15 minute drive from Agha Khan.
I'm not too sure if PNS Karsaz(navy residential area) and PAF Base Faisal(The airforce) rent out to civilians, but these two are pretty much like Malir Cantt in terms of security, just smaller.
Staying in Malir Cantt you'd be too isolated from the city, whereas these places are pretty close to where all the action happens(the good kind, shopping, food, the beach, etc)
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
you shouldn't be scared of living in Pakistan. I don't think its as bad as the news portrays. of course anyone outside of Karachi will tell you its the most dangerous place! (you know city rivalry and such). I've lived in countries similar to Pakistan and yes the danger was there but as long as you were careful and didn't do anything stupid, then you should be ok. Please try not to be gullible as you might get ripped off time to time in stores and such.
The only thing I'm skeptical about is future opportunities and finances. As you are a doctor you'll probably earn more than an average worker in Pakistan but would it be enough if you two decided to move back abroad? Also will other hospitals accept that hospital? Another disadvantage for you would be the language how do you expect to communicate with your patients if English is not enough? They would expect you to know Urdu since you're Pakistani living in Pakistan.
I would say wait a few years and then go to Pakistan.
AKUH is a very reputable institue in the whole world. Most of the graduates from the university move abroad with no problems. They are in high demand. Working there will only enhance their CV. There are other things to consider but the credibility of AKUH isn't n issue.
I had friends who spoke a different language and could communicate with others(pak has many regional languages). English is spoken widely in pak and initially it may be a struggle but u can learn rudimentary Urdu to communicate. It's easy to pick a language when u live in the country.
OP think it from your own point of view and consider of all the pros and cons.
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
Please make sure you and him are fully aware of all the USCIS requirements for him to keep his permanent resident status. If it gets revoked, then he will not be able even visit the U.S. b/c USCIS already knows that he’s married to a U.S. citizen (i.e.. they will not grant him a visitor’s visa). This may not be a big deal if you guys live in PK for a few years but in case you decide to settle there permanently…this would be a big issue if/when you visit your mom in the U.S. alone (or with your kids) and he can’t come with you.
If you’re already aware of all this then that’s great. But please make sure you guys follow ALL the policies set-forth by USCIS so this doesn’t cause a big headache in the future. Below are links with some details. Please read the wording carefully. How the USCIS views his “intent” can have a major effect on him obtaining citizenship in the future.