Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
he is getting a position in a much higher post in agha khan, he would have to work for 5-6 years in US or UK in order to that to that post. He is saying with experience in agha khan in that post for 2-3 years he can apply for jobs in that same position here in the US. That is the only thing that is pushing him towards it, and that they are willing to get me a job so we can live comfortably because his pay is just OK.
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?
Your fiancé is right abt aga khan. Every person I know who studied or worked there is in America
, with very high flying jobs. It's a fantastic institute. Urdu is quite easy and there will be mny words in Pashto which are same as Urdu as v have assimilated them in our language.
traffic is a problem and can be stressful. It's very hot and security is a concern. Those are the cons for me. Just read paheli's post. Very informative
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
Thanks Paheli, we've been researching about this .. We will probably apply for the re-entry permit .. although we have not fully decided on what we should do, since his job description states that he will have to go to conferences around the world, he will look into the ones just in America so we can visit every 6 months... but we haven't really reached a conclusion on this yet.
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
^ Good! I’m heard of too many cases where people lost the GC due to not realizing those requirements. Glad to see you guys are already working to make sure that doesn’t happen. 
In addition to visiting regularly, filing tax returns etc., please make sure he does some things as proof to USCIS that he intended to come back and live in the U.S. permanently.
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
Your fiancé is right abt aga khan. Every person I know who studied or worked there is in America , with very high flying jobs. It's a fantastic institute. Urdu is quite easy and there will be mny words in Pashto which are same as Urdu as v have assimilated them in our language.
traffic is a problem and can be stressful. It's very hot and security is a concern. Those are the cons for me. Just read paheli's post. Very informative
True, hence my suggestions for getting a place close by.
As for the heat, get AC at home, travel in an AC car, don't know about your work, but that shouldn't be much of a problem.
Security, well that's why you rent a home somewhere safe.
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
^^ I agree saeed v can all give OP reasons to live in Pak. On the surface it seems like a very good opportunity but it will be the OP who has adjust and adapt and I am just giving examples of what I think would concern me. Leaving for another country is a huge undertaking and it will b an adjustment so it's prudent to be realistic.
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
Having moved my self two months ago, its not bad here.
Language is not a problem, pretty much every tom dick harry can understand few words. Yup the problem will be openness, freedom to wear what you like, do, drink, eat and else.
For example i have hard time getting table cheese and proper pairing of wine in this God forsaken country, also no nightlife apart from some cafes which serve hookahs & that's all.
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
Ok i am not sure when people say every one who studied at AKU has a good job in foreign countries. That would be doctors right, or nurses. All doctors end up landing good jobs once they satisfy the requirements of the country they plan to work in.
I still think that you will have to pass the lic exams/update your education to be able to work in the U.S. when you plan on returning.
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
In my experience if you have money you can live a very comofrtable like in Karachi. But I think more then the money issue, in your case you should also be thinking if you will be able live in a 3rd world country because it means compromising in almost everything.
Things like electricity, gas, water, fuel which you probably dont ever think about living in west can be very scarce. Also get ready for worst traffic jams as nonone follows traffic rules, pollution, noise, dust, chaos.
Then there is the issue of security. I lived in Karachi for 8 years and although i personally never had a security issue myself but lot of peopl who worked/studied with me including those who lived in posh areas like clifton or defence at one point or other had their mobile or wallet snatched.
Daily life coming to stand still due to some random killings or a strike is a thing of routine and although you get extra days off however when that happens you are basically stuck at home as the city is in a complete shut down.
The hospital itself is well managed and has a good reputation. Quite a lot of people from my family went to AKU and are now in US though they are all doctors. I think in your situation if you do end up moving there then there are a number of residential units right behind the hospital from where its just a few minutes walk and you dont need to drive. If you talk to the AKU management they may help you guys get a place there.
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
^^ I agree saeed v can all give OP reasons to live in Pak. On the surface it seems like a very good opportunity but it will be the OP who has adjust and adapt and I am just giving examples of what I think would concern me. Leaving for another country is a huge undertaking and it will b an adjustment so it's prudent to be realistic.
Well I don't know anything about how it'd affect their careers and what kind of adjustments they'd have to make, therefore I didn't write a word about adapting or their careers. I do know a few things about the security situation and commuting problems over here as I live in Karachi, so I wrote about that. Other posters are doing a pretty good job of discussing other aspects of the move.
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
I agree with Saeed, OP should explore getting a place next to AKUH, since she can speak Pashto at least not so bad situation (there is more then 2 million Pashto speaking population living Karachi).
Malire Cantt is safe area, but there few difficult ghettos nearby and they would be passing that everyday. Better look for Cliftion of Defance, although expensive but all upmarket shopping, and dining are there. So you need not to travel far for you after work recreation and shopping.
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
Work on your Plan B before you work on Plan A . Pakistan is no more the same as it use to be . :(
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
Its not a piece of cake adjusting but you shouldn't go in all pressured. This would be a good opportunity for you to get more in touch with your roots. You might like it or might not but if you don't try you'll never know.
For me I like to travel and try new things and places. I've been moving around all my life so I love it and I would be eager to live in Pakistan despite the danger that people outside of Pakistan warn me about but not everybody is like that.
A lot of people like comfort and security that their own country gives them and there is nothing wrong with that. It just depends on your comfort zone and you shouldn't be pressured into rushing into something you're not comfortable with.
Have you thought about how you'll cope with adjusting to a new country and married life? As well as a work place? do you really think you can handle so much at once?
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
Having moved my self two months ago, its not bad here. Language is not a problem, pretty much every tom dick harry can understand few words. Yup the problem will be openness, freedom to wear what you like, do, drink, eat and else.
For example i have hard time getting table cheese and proper pairing of wine in this God forsaken country, also no nightlife apart from some cafes which serve hookahs & that's all.
Okay there, do you expect to lead a European life in Pakistan? :/
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
where is your fiance's family based in Pakistan ? I mean which city ? (do they live in pakistan ?)
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
they live in Peshawar
I totally agree with Kakee, I mean how can I adjust with all these things all at the same time?! I know how I am, if I am forced into a situation that I dont want to be in, I blame the people around me. I will just be stressed out that whole time and other people would be stressed out because of my mood. Its tooooo much for me to handle all at once. I feel like he is asking too much from me and I am really unsure if I'll be able to live there, yet alone work. The main problem is that I will HAVE to work in order for us to live comfortably..
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
So clearly you're not willing to move. Then don't move. Ask him to compromise.
! I know how I am, if I am forced into a situation that I dont want to be in, I blame the people around me. I will just be stressed out that whole time and other people would be stressed out because of my mood. Its tooooo much for me to handle all at once. ..
And perhaps this is exactly why your family members are telling you that this is a horrible idea. Having known you all your life, they know what your personality is like and if this is something that you can handle.
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
so you should tell your husband to be you don't want to move
Re: Shifting to Pakistan after marriage?
If you have to force yourself to do something you will be miserable so always make the decision that comes easy. By easy I don't mean one that's the least work but the decision you feel more inclined towards.