Chaat.Chai.Chatter, Hum Pakistani...UAE Se

Recently Pakistani celebrity Fakhr-e-Alam took to social media to highlight the issue of Pakistanis stranded in Dubai and UAE since the start of Covid19. Here he talks to me on how and why the #Pakistan government needs to speed up repatriation before a human crisis unfolds...

I am launching this new channel to address community issues, to shed light on the talents, our achievements and many more such interesting stories from a vibrant #Pakistani community in the Dubai and UAE.  In this introductory video, I talk about why this platform is needed for a population of 1.2 million Pakistanis in the UAE and what I will be the direction of this YouTube channel. Hope you all enjoy and participate as a community.

We often use so many adjectives to physically define people without giving a thought to how it could be affecting them in many ways. I speak to Pakistan's first plus size TV news reporter who describes her journey while being given such labels, her struggle and self discovery through the power of 'self-love'.  This episode should make you think differently.

Mental health remains a taboo in the Pakistani society. Though discussion has begun to open around the issue, it still needs to be talked about more often. We, as a society, do not openly discuss issues related to mental health and often go on to find solace in namaz and dua rather than to look for a cure.   During the #Covid19 lockdown, all of us have been mentally impacted in one way or the other. We have either lost our loved ones, or have been impacted physically or financially which makes it imperative to address mental health.  In this episode, a youngster narrates her struggle with depression and how she is on the road to recovery. In an engaging discussion, a psychotherapist explains why we do not accept mental health as an illness and instead advice others to pray to resolve the issue.

Pakistan's SAPM, Syed Zulfi Bukhari talks about a number of issues related to Pakistanis in UAE after his meeting with UAE Cabinet Member and Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, Nasser Bin Thani Al Hamli today.  He answers my question on reopening of visit visas to UAE for Pakistanis, and talks on a number of other issues such as jobs, pensions and tax free facilities for expatriates. With him are Pakistan Ambassador to UAE, Ghulam Dastgir and Consul General of Pakistan, Ahmed Amjad Ali.

This is the story of Abdul Rahman, a young Pakistani boy living in Dubai who poured acid over himself and is currently undergoing procedures that will extend and grow his skin so that it can be replaced over the burns. The procedure is long and expensive. I speak to Abdul Rahman's mother Iqra who tells us what happened on that day. This video should also be an eye opener for all parents who unknowingly increase the risk of injury to their children by storing such industrial items at home.  Abdul Rahman's plastic surgeon also takes us through the treatment procedure and gives us tips on what should be done immediately in case of all kinds of burns including acid burns.  *Since Abdul Rahman is a minor, his identity has been kept hidden. Consent: Abdul Rahman's parents have agreed to the filming of their child

Pakistanis are very passionate about food where ever in the world they are. Even if we have the world cuisines at our disposal, we remain very #desi at heart and look for our familiar comfort food. This episode is about what we miss and where we can go looking for it.  So, it's All Things Pakistani...

We overseas Pakistanis are often considered outsiders by fellow country mates. But being away from our homeland Pakistan does not mean that we have lost our link to our motherland. In this video, I show you the celebrations that all Pakistanis undertook in UAE today on August 14, 2020 despite the events being muted due to Covid-19. The highlight of this video is my talk with two Pakistani youngsters - the new generation and the future of our country - who have been born and bred overseas. I ask them if being away from home makes any difference and listen to what they have to say...

Education and schooling of millions of children across the world has been disrupted during the Covid19 lockdown. In Pakistan alone, 4 million children have been affected many of whom might not be able to attend school anymore because of the high financial costs and the fact that parents can no longer afford schooling. In a candid chat with Amna Khaishgi, the CEO South Asian region of Coded Minds, an education provider that runs the Hope Academy in the UAE, we discuss how the academy offers hope and low cost education to many parents who might not be able to send their children back to school once the schools reopen in a couple of months. The academy also has an offer for those workers in Dubai whose children study in Pakistan and scholarships for the Pakistani community in the UAE.  For admissions or details contact: [email protected] Whatsapp: +0971 50 2677294