Pakistani expatriates gave a guarded welcome to their president-elect Asif Ali Zadari yesterday, with some expressing doubts about his integrity but others voicing hope that new investment ties with the UAE will help the poorer parts of their homeland.
Mr Zadari, the widower of Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated in December, won a two-thirds majority in a secret ballot among lawmakers on Saturday and is expected to be sworn in today as leader of the world's only nuclear-armed Islamic state.
He has spoken of the importance of Pakistan's ties with the UAE, saying relations are "guarded not only by mutual interests, but also by the religious and historic legacy shared by the two countries, as well as the identical views on several regional and international issues".
However, doubts linger among the UAE's 850,000 Pakistani expatriates over whether he will deliver on his promises.
Mr Zadari has been plagued by rumours of corruption. He was never convicted, but was held in prison under Gen Pervez Musharraf's rule. "Personally I feel he is a crook," said Shafiq Malik, 50, an education adviser from Rawalpindi, now living in Abu Dhabi. "He has been jailed, he doesn't deserve that position, full stop."
Mr Malik called on the UAE to boost investment in Pakistan, particularly its rural industry. "The UAE should invest in Pakistan, in its industry and raw materials," he said. "They seem to be investing all the way to Sudan. They bought acres in Sudan. They could easily do the same thing in Punjab or Sindh."
The Emirates already invests in the capital, Islamabad, but mostly in property. There is even a Sheikh Zayed Road. But expatriates say more rural investment would help the poor.
Asif Iqbal, 36, from the Swat area of Pakistan and now working in Abu Dhabi, said: "They need to invest in other parts of Pakistan, not just high-rise buildings in the 'nice areas' like Islamabad."
He also called on Mr Zardari to bring stability. "He has a duty as a man with the power to bring peace. Rather than going in with a heavy hand, which is what his predecessor did, there has to be another way of bringing peace to the table. Terrorism is spreading, it's not being contained in one area."
Mr Iqbal added that the international community could help stop unrest in Pakistan by investing in its economy and to help provide basic needs for the poor, some of whom may turn to terrorism in despair.
Neem Baig, office manager at the Pakistan Business Council in Dubai, said a wait-and-see approach was needed before judging Mr Zardari. "The oath has not yet been taken," he said.
Mr Zardari takes over a country on the front line of the US-led war on terror, but regularly at the receiving end of violence from Islamic insurgents. Over the weekend, in a stark reminder to such violence, at least 33 people died after a car bomb went off next to a police checkpoint in Peshawar.
One positive Zardari supporter was Riaz Hussain Bukhari, the deputy head of mission at the Pakistani embassy.
"We hope he will bring control to the politics of Pakistan. He will build bridges for security in Pakistan and promote democratic culture," he said.
"With time things will settle. He has said many times that extremism is the main challenge to democracy. The elections were held in a transparent process and he won a majority in provinces. He will be subservient and he plans to strengthen democracy in Pakistan."
asafdar@thenational.ae
Fifa Club World Cup quarter-final
Kashima Antlers 3 (Nagaki 49’, Serginho 69’, Abe 84’)
Guadalajara 2 (Zaldivar 03’, Pulido 90')
MATCH INFO
Uefa Nations League
League A, Group 4
Spain v England, 10.45pm (UAE)
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Miguel Cotto world titles:
WBO Light Welterweight champion - 2004-06
WBA Welterweight champion – 2006-08
WBO Welterweight champion – Feb 2009-Nov 2009
WBA Light Middleweight champion – 2010-12
WBC Middleweight champion – 2014-15
WBO Light Middleweight champion – Aug 2017-Dec 2017
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: ten-speed
Power: 420bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: Dh325,125
On sale: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
INFO
What: DP World Tour Championship
When: November 21-24
Where: Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae.
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
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Six tips to secure your smart home
Most smart home devices are controlled via the owner's smartphone. Therefore, if you are using public wi-fi on your phone, always use a VPN (virtual private network) that offers strong security features and anonymises your internet connection.
Keep your smart home devices’ software up-to-date. Device makers often send regular updates - follow them without fail as they could provide protection from a new security risk.
Use two-factor authentication so that in addition to a password, your identity is authenticated by a second sign-in step like a code sent to your mobile number.
Set up a separate guest network for acquaintances and visitors to ensure the privacy of your IoT devices’ network.
Change the default privacy and security settings of your IoT devices to take extra steps to secure yourself and your home.
Always give your router a unique name, replacing the one generated by the manufacturer, to ensure a hacker cannot ascertain its make or model number.
Frida%20
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RESULT
Wolves 1 (Traore 67')
Tottenham 2 (Moura 8', Vertonghen 90 1')
Man of the Match: Adama Traore (Wolves)
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Five expert hiking tips
- Always check the weather forecast before setting off
- Make sure you have plenty of water
- Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
- Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
- Take your litter home with you
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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Like a Fading Shadow
Antonio Muñoz Molina
Translated from the Spanish by Camilo A. Ramirez
Tuskar Rock Press (pp. 310)
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