UAE-based expats share their thoughts on Pakistan Day

Pakistan is an enterprising nation. More than half of its 190 million population are youth. They dream of a special place in the world and strive for successes in their relevant fields. Progressive thought and a conviction to triumph is what helps them defeat reactionary tendencies at home and abroad. Pakistanis are industrious, honest and second to none when it comes to scaling benchmarks of professionalism and commitment. 
Here are few in the UAE that are contributing their bit to make Pakistan shine with glory. This is what they have to say on this special day:
Sarmad Ali Khan, Chartered Accountant
Pakistan has come a long way and is a force to be reckoned with. I believe the spirit behind Pakistan Movement should be reinvented to scale new heights of success. That is why I apply those traits of devotion, sacrifice and commitment as an auditor in one of the leading audit firms of Pakistan in the UAE.
I reckon all my achievements and struggle would seem so small, as to what our ancestors have contributed through their literature, knowledge, expertise and professionalism. Their sense of selflessness was unparallel. That philosophy of resilience helped me become a Member of the following professional bodies: United Arab Emirates Chartered Accountant (UAECA), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, UK (ACCA), and Chartered Management Institute, UK (CMI). 
A graduate with distinction in Project Management from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, my aim is to excel. I have helped develop several accounting software, and been providing advisory services related to value-added tax (VAT), which will be implemented in 2018 in the UAE.
I am also an active sportsperson and musician (co-founder and vocalist of Maxence - the band). I attribute my successes to my parents and my great country. Without them, I would not have been where I am today. 

 Abdullah Siddiqui, Scientist
I have been serving the UAE in scientific development for the last 20 years. I started my career with Julphar Gulf Pharmaceutical (Research and Development) in 1995. In 1999, I joined the Environment Research and Wildlife Development Agency (ERWDA), part of the Abu Dhabi Government (presently known as the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi). Analytics, new method development and validation are my expertise.  These days I work with the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council as a Manager Pharmaceutical and Medical, serving health regulators and the public sector.  I hail from Karachi and completed my studies from the University of Sindh, and went on to pursue higher studies in one of the world's renowned Chromatography Centre UNICAM in Cambridge, UK in 1991. I have also served Abbott Pharmaceuticals for seven years with a leading role for new drug development. I have been involved in lots of scientific projects i.e. migration studies, alerts, emergency responds, etc. 

Mir Arif Ali, Photographer-cum-tutor
I came to the UAE from Karachi at the age of 18. I was looking forward to support my parents and young siblings back home. It was not an easy decision to make in 1984, but after living here for almost three decades, I feel that there couldn't be a better second home than the UAE. I started my career as an amateur photographer and studio machine operator. I prospered as a professional photographer-cum-teacher then started my own company, Mir Photography, in the year 1991. 
Some of the major reputed companies Mir Photography has served are Etisalat, Al Shaya, Dubai Quality Group and Al Fombra Carpets. I also host lectures on photography, and conduct classes throughout the Gulf. With the passage of time, I have earned respect and credibility among those who want to make photography their career. 
Since 2004, Mir Photography has become one of the top photography institutions in the UAE that teaches an array of photography courses, covering basic photography aspects for beginners and sophisticated topics aimed at advanced and professional photographers.
 

Syed Khurshid Haider Zaidi, Quality Controller/Distributor 
I am a quality controller and distributor, and have been working in the UAE for many years. I have worked as the manager of operations for Fast Link General Trading LLC, Dubai, and was instrumental in introducing a number of new trends in marketing and customer satisfaction. Later, I moved on to join Top Link Technical Services LLC as a senior sales manager. My expertise is in churning out technical viability of products, which is a new concept in the UAE.
Presently I am in the food services and my intention is to introduce a cobweb of activity between retailers, supermarkets and clients. I have a knack for literacy and I am a poet as well.  
- mehkri@khaleejtimes.com

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