Social challenges of being a Pakistani in Saudi Arabia

[Hadi Rizvi]

Why not go somewhere else rather than somewhere you don't like, and where you won't be treated well? Come to the UK, or go to Australia or Germany. It seems a sad situation where you can be at the two places you don't want to be, at home or Saudi Arabia.

Why do you think I came to Melbourne?

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Why do you think I came to Melbourne?

I assumed you lived in Saudi because you were complaining of majboori forcing you to work there.

 

[DeadBall]

People never having owned a Pakistani passport cannot begin to comprehend its uselessness. Its very easy to say just move to the UK, Germany etc if you are from a first world country and have never experienced the hardships, hassles etc required just to obtain a tourist visa to said countries.

As for immigration just the application process to such places takes years, not to mention this is just for the highly skilled professionals, never mind the average person. Don't think the ones who won the lottery of being born in the right country will ever understand.

 

[faraz39]

I have large extended family in the gulf and they seem to fall in the following groups which I believe is representative of the overall Pakistani population in the Gulf:

1. Low skilled non labor: education levels are not very high but good enough to be working basic admin jobs. They are very happy to be in the gulf even though working conditions are difficult and basic rights are missing. They are content to save money and return to Pakistan one day.

2. Professional designations (Doc, eng, accountant, lawyer, pharmacist, etc): making good money but also realize that one day they have to leave so trying to immigrate to Canada/Australia/UK.

3. Professionals born and raised in Gulf: they don't want to leave and are delaying it as much as possible but ultimately many of them will make decisions to immigrate to the west. They were raised in the Gulf so "feel" Saudi/Emirati/Kuwaiti/etc and have a strong love for the country.

4. Older professionals: our parents generation who realize it's too late to immigrate to the west so they encourage their children to do so but stay put in the Gulf until retirement. Then they usually head back to Pakistan afterwards.

5. Professionals with religious motivation: i have one segment of the family where they are all doctors and accountants in Saudia (moved in the last 5 years). While initially they moved for better opportunities, now they have drank the kool aid and believe Saudia is the best country in the world in all aspects. They hate the west, Pakistan, other Gulf countries and believe everyone is deviant except for Saudi society. While I admire their commitment to learning the religion (as we all should), the blind love for Saudi society, monarchy, and the land in general will one day burst when reality of deportation comes calling.

I don't have any family members are direct laborers but in my direct interaction with them in the Gulf, they weren't as happy as everyone thinks they are. Many complained about long hours (12 to 14 everyday) with one or two days off per month. No leave of absence to visit families for 2-3 years and not enough pay to bring families over.

 

[LongHorn]

I have large extended family in the gulf and they seem to fall in the following groups which I believe is representative of the overall Pakistani population in the Gulf:
.

Very well said and explained, and that is true of the Indian and Bangladeshi diaspora there as well.

There is a 6th category also

Successful businessmen, who in some cases, are there for 2-3 generations. This group does not want to move to the West, but tend to maintain a strong connection with their town/village in their country. Of course the secret to their success is often partnering with successful Gulf businessmen. But there are also those who succeeded on their own through sheer hard work.
The 2nd generation of these businessmen sometimes continue the family business, but in rare cases they do move to the West, forcing the father to sell his business.
Another common trend is the business owner brings over his nephews and brothers and brothers in laws to help out in the business,

 

[AssassinatedDevil]

People never having owned a Pakistani passport cannot begin to comprehend its uselessness. Its very easy to say just move to the UK, Germany etc if you are from a first world country and have never experienced the hardships, hassles etc required just to obtain a tourist visa to said countries.

As for immigration just the application process to such places takes years, not to mention this is just for the highly skilled professionals, never mind the average person. Don't think the ones who won the lottery of being born in the right country will ever understand.

Completely Agree. Pakistani passport has to be one of the most pathetic passports in the world. I'm an extremely proud Pakistani but that green piece of documentation is definitely a curse if you want to go to any sort of first-world country. Applying for Australian Perminent residency was a nightmare just because of the worth of our passport.

 

[DW44]

People never having owned a Pakistani passport cannot begin to comprehend its uselessness. Its very easy to say just move to the UK, Germany etc if you are from a first world country and have never experienced the hardships, hassles etc required just to obtain a tourist visa to said countries.

As for immigration just the application process to such places takes years, not to mention this is just for the highly skilled professionals, never mind the average person. Don't think the ones who won the lottery of being born in the right country will ever understand.

This. If I had a dime for every time someone said "why don't you leave the country then?" after one of my rants and I had to explain this to them, I'd be a millionaire.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Completely Agree. Pakistani passport has to be one of the most pathetic passports in the world. I'm an extremely proud Pakistani but that green piece of documentation is definitely a curse if you want to go to any sort of first-world country. Applying for Australian Perminent residency was a nightmare just because of the worth of our passport.

That is because the people of Pakistan have created a country which reflects their worth. Now of course some posters might say that Pakistanis themselves are fine, it is in fact *shudder* British Pakistanis who are the problem, but the Pakistani passport is a true reflection of where the problem lies for those who want to travel abroad.

 

[Hadi Rizvi]

That is because the people of Pakistan have created a country which reflects their worth. Now of course some posters might say that Pakistanis themselves are fine, it is in fact *shudder* British Pakistanis who are the problem, but the Pakistani passport is a true reflection of where the problem lies for those who want to travel abroad.

What does any of that have to do with honest, struggling, hard working Pakistanis overseas? It's unfair to them that the actions of a select few have significantly decreased the trust of foreigners on Pakistanis in general.

 

[Hadi Rizvi]

I assumed you lived in Saudi because you were complaining of majboori forcing you to work there.

Why would you expect an A Level student to work in KSA when he clearly doesn't need to? What you've said is true for my parents.