Expats mourn passing of Sheikh Khalifa, say he was a true friend of Pakistan

Tanvir Usman, Staff Reporter

The Pakistani community in the UAE expressed their deep grief on the sad demise of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Expatriates paid glowing tributes to the visionary leader, who provided ample opportunities to all the Pakistanis to excel in their respective fields in the UAE. Gulf Today spoke to the prominent members of the Pakistani community in the UAE, who hailed the leader a true friend of Pakistan.

Dr Faisal Ikram.

Dr Faisal Ikram, President of Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) said, “PAD expresses its sincere condolences on the passing away of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. His services to the nation will always be remembered.”

“The Pakistani community is deeply saddened by the Ruler’s death and is mourning with their Emirati brothers and sisters. His contribution to Pakistan’s development will always remain in our hearts. May Allah grant him the highest rank in Jannah,” Ikram added.


Mian Munir Hans.

Mian Munir Hans, Chairman, Overseas Pakistanis United Forum (OPUF), hailed Sheikh Khalifa as a true friend of Pakistan, who always led from the front to make this country a land of opportunities. Hans, who is also the President of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in the Gulf region, said that the UAE is a second home to around 1.6 million Pakistanis. The UAE government, under the leadership of President Sheikh Khalifa, always stood by Pakistanis in their hour of need.

“The Pakistan Peoples Party leadership enjoys cordial relations with the UAE Rulers. Benazir Bhutto chose to stay in the UAE in her days of exile. Bilawal is also a staunch advocate of boosting historic ties with the brotherly nation,” he said.

Irfan Afsar Awan.

Irfan Afsar Awan, former president of the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) in the UAE, paid rich tributes to Sheikh Khalifa, saying that "today the whole world, especially the Muslim nations, has lost a visionary leader."

Madi Khan.

Madi Khan, a UAE-based businessman, said that the demise of President Sheikh Khalifa "has left all the Pakistanis, including me, in the state of sorrow. “I was shocked to hear the sad demise of the UAE President. Today, Pakistanis in the UAE have lost a father figure. Under the visionary leadership of Sheikh Khalifa, the UAE touched the new heights of success in a short span of time,” Khan said. “His charitable initiatives in several Pakistani areas show his compassion towards the Pakistanis.

The UAE’s role in eradicating the polio in my country, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, deserves accolades. “Many Pakistanis like me got ample opportunities to grow and excel here, thanks to the UAE leadership for providing us a conducive business environment. May Allah Almighty grant the departed soul the highest place in Jannah,” Khan added.