MEDIA PLAYS A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE: PAK CG
dubai — Media plays an important role in society, often helping shape the opinions of the masses and it is a responsibility that shouldn’t be taken lightly: This is the message from the ConsulGeneral of Pakistan in Dubai, Ahmed Amjad Ali.
A fan of traditional media who reads the newspaper every morning, Ali said journalists carry a responsibility of informing the public everything that happens around and setting the popular perception on each subject.
Ali, who was appointed as the consulgeneral eight months ago, spoke to Khaleej Times exclusively during a visit to the KT headquarters on Monday.
“Media, I think, always plays a very important role. That space (for traditional media) is there and will always remain. A traditional person like me, who always opens the paper in the morning, will remain the same,” he said.
“Media changes the perception of anything — positive or negative. Khaleej
Times produces supplements of almost all countries — some of them where I’d never been to — and I learn more about them through those supplements. It’s a tool, which I say, can be used positively or negatively. You want to promote something, media can do that. Create a hype? Media can do that as well. If you want to go after something, media can do it. It’s a make or break situation. As journalists, it’s a great responsibility on you people as well.”
Ties with the UAE
Speaking on Pakistan and UAE relations, he highlighted the deep-rooted ties both the countries have. Currently, 1.6 million Pakistanis live in the UAE.
He said trade between the UAE and Pakistan “are not what should have been”, though “gradually” Pakistani economic sector and indicators are growing. Last year, Pakistan had about $9 million trade with the UAE, which is the highest in many years.
“Obviously, with the Galadari family and with Khaleej Times, Pakistan has historic relations. Pakistan and the UAE enjoy brotherly relations since 1971. UAE Founder the Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan always used to call Pakistan a second home. So, we drive our relationship from that point. In the last one year, we had four high-level visits, three from prime minister of Pakistan to here and one from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Amed Forces, to
Serving community
Ali also touched on the Pakistani workforce in the UAE and said 200,000 Pakistani workforce have arrived in the UAE in the past few years.
Out of the 1.6 million Pakistanis in the UAE, 70 per cent are bluecollared workers, though there has been a significant increase in the number of skilled and semi-skilled workers coming to the UAE.
“Rough estimates show that there were 200,000 working class people coming into the UAE in the last few years. Pakistan has
16 per cent of youth work force, aged between 18 and 30. Many youngsters with very high educational qualifications are coming to the UAE,” he said.
“I’ve seen so many professionals coming in the IT sector and banking sector, which is a very positive sign. That trend is growing. The unskilled workforce demand is decreasing and that’s not just in the UAE, it’s global. In construction and transport sectors, Pakistanis still have a hold. They are doing well.”
When it comes to the welfare of the Pakistani community, Ali shed light on the consular services being provided across the UAE on weekends.
The consular team travels to Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Ajman every Friday to give support to the community. Because of the lack of space in the current consulate building, the team travels to the people.
“When our consulate was built in
1982, there were
200 people coming daily. Now, it has grown to an average of 1,200 people daily. You see the increase in numbers,” Ali said.
“Space was the biggest problem for us.
After I came here, we made two new halls and almost 250 people can sit in those air-conditioned halls. Every Friday, we provide consular visits and we are on a six-month schedule. We are also helping Pakistani inmates who have completed their jail term but need air tickets to go back. We have given Eid packages to our prisoners.” And in terms of the prisoner exchange programme, Ali revealed that they have signed a treaty already and the implementation will start soon.
He also revealed that the consulate building will soon be reconstructed and the process is under way. The current building has not been changed since it was first built in 1982.
Media always plays very important role. That space (for traditional media) is there and will always remain. A traditional person like me, who always opens the paper in the morning, will remain the same.” Pakistan. Our trajectory in the bilateral relations is going up.”