Pakistanis in UAE tell of hopes for new Prime Minister

Pakistani residents of the UAE have high hopes for their country’s new prime minister and are cautiously optimistic that Imran Khan will accomplish all he pledged to do.

The former cricket World Cup winning captain, 65, was announced the winner of the general election on Friday despite a delayed count that led to claims of vote rigging.

Dr Nighat Aftab, a Pakistani physician in Dubai, said that regardless of the allegations, she hoped Mr Khan and his new government would improve the nation’s future and rid it of corruption.

“We have a lot of hopes for the new government,” Dr Aftab said.

“We hope that it will be a straightforward government that is free of thieves.

“I also expect them to change the future of our poor people, provide them with the basic needs and protect the country’s assets.”

During Mr Khan’s victory speech from his home in Bani Gala, a wealthy suburb of Pakistan, on Thursday, he pledged to lift up the poor and improve relations with neighbouring countries, including India.

“Time will prove if he is the right person or not,” Dr Aftab said. “People claim to do many things. We hope for the best.”

Despite her trepidation, she said any change would be positive and she was willing to give Mr Khan a chance.

Farhad Ali, an assistant shop manager in Dubai, said he was feeling positive about the outcome and was looking forward to seeing tangible changes from the new government.

“Me and my family are looking forward to witnessing the good changes in the country. It is never too late,” Mr Ali said.

“We all should celebrate this day as we hope to see a fast growth in all the sections, less debt, more focus on upgrading the country’s infrastructure and providing a good atmosphere for investors.”

Pakistani residents are the second largest national group living in the UAE, second only to Indians, and constitute 12.7 per cent of the country’s 9.54 million total population.

As was the case in 2013, they were not allowed to vote as overseas residents, so many chose to travel home to vote in person.

“Unfortunately we couldn’t vote online as they didn’t activate it and we also couldn’t travel back home to participate but our hearts and wishes are with our nation and the country,” Mr Ali said.

Noor Ali, a real estate agent, said the new prime minister and his government should prioritise providing new employment for their people and work hard to eliminate poverty – which, as of last year, was at almost 30 per cent – Pakistan’s Ministry of Planning and Reforms said.

“It’s not an easy position as all the citizens count on them and they should be able to carry this huge responsibility and work in favour of the country,” he said.

“We need to see more jobs, feel safer and reduce the numbers of poor families.”

We hope the new government will be straightforward and free of thieves NIGHAT AFTAB Pakistani doctor in Dubai