A Tale of Two Futures

By: Ali Afridi

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven small emirates, with a relatively modest population around 10 million people. What’s interesting is that nearly 90% of the population consists of expatriates, making Emirati nationals a minority in their own country. Among these seven emirates, Dubai is undoubtedly the most well-known worldwide. It is a city of striking contrasts, unlike anything seen elsewhere, especially in the Islamic world. Dubai is a highly developed and vibrant metropolis, and many assume its prosperity comes from oil wealth. However, this assumption is entirely incorrect. Unlike its neighboring emirates, Dubai has very limited oil reserves. While Abu Dhabi and other regions enjoy significant natural resources, Dubai does not. This naturally raises the question how did Dubai manage to achieve such incredible growth without oil?

It’s important to understand that the UAE is an Islamic country, with deeply religious native citizens and laws rooted in Islamic principles. Yet, it has become a global hub, attracting people from all over the world Western professionals, entrepreneurs, and laborers alike. The secret behind this success lies in the visionary leadership that embraced modernization while ensuring strong governance. This progressive yet disciplined approach is something that remains rare in many Islamic nations, especially Pakistan. Dubai’s rulers made a firm decision: they would not allow their nation to fall behind. They committed to meeting the demands of a rapidly evolving world while maintaining firm state control over all affairs. Unlike some conservative nations, they did not allow religion to hinder progress. Instead, they welcomed skilled workers from countries like Pakistan to build a world-class infrastructure—ultra-modern roads, luxurious hotels, and grand shopping malls. At the same time, they enforced strict laws, creating an environment where breaking a red light, even at night, is unthinkable. The sense of security is so strong that crime is nearly nonexistent. Investors are provided with exceptional financial protection, making Dubai one of the safest places in the world for business and capital.

However, Dubai’s leadership didn’t stop at infrastructure and security. They also adopted an open approach to lifestyle choices, allowing bars, nightclubs, and other entertainment venues to operate freely. This is a concept that more conservative societies may struggle to accept, but it has played a crucial role in attracting global investment. As a result, Dubai has become a sanctuary for the world’s wealthiest individuals. High-net-worth investors from around the globe have bought homes there, including politicians and business elites from Pakistan, who see Dubai as the safest place to secure their assets. The extravagant mansions in Dubai Hills, owned by affluent Pakistanis, are a testament to this reality.

Today, Dubai stands as one of the most remarkable examples of rapid economic and urban development. However, there is one key aspect that should be noted—media and public expression are strictly controlled. Criticism of the government is off-limits. But if such restrictions guarantee stability and prosperity, it’s not necessarily a bad trade-off. Compare this to Pakistan, where unrestricted freedom of speech, particularly since the era of Pervez Musharraf, has led to a chaotic social media landscape full of misinformation and instability. If economic success requires some level of controlled expression, perhaps it is a price worth paying. Even China, despite its meteoric rise, does not permit unchecked media freedom.

Beyond Dubai’s internal growth, one of the UAE’s greatest strengths lies in its foreign policy. The country has strategically positioned itself as a neutral and friendly nation, maintaining diplomatic ties with all major players. It does not involve itself in conflicts or allow religious ideologies to dictate its international relations. For example, despite ideological differences with Iran, trade between the two flourishes, with Dubai’s ports playing a critical role in the transportation of Iranian oil, even in the face of global sanctions. The UAE’s diplomatic success is evident in its ability to maintain close ties with India, while simultaneously being home to millions of Pakistanis. Saudi Arabia continues to invest heavily in the UAE, and at the same time, the country has normalized relations with Israel. This means that even nations that are otherwise rivals find common ground in Dubai. Walk through its streets, and you’ll find Pakistanis and Indians working together, dining together, and coexisting peacefully. Jewish men and women in their traditional attire stroll freely, while Western women, dressed as they please, enjoy complete safety while walking through the city. This level of inclusivity and tolerance makes Dubai a true global hub.

Now, let’s contrast this with Pakistan. For over seven decades, the country has been caught in an ideological experiment, constantly trying to define its identity. Our textbooks teach us that Pakistan is the “fortress of Islam,” yet no one can clearly explain what that means. There are several other Muslim-majority countries, including India, which has a Muslim population comparable to Pakistan. So why is our national narrative so vastly different? Has this ideology truly benefited us? If Pakistan is indeed a stronghold of Islam, then why do radical militants constantly target it? The truth is that during the rule of Zia-ul-Haq, Pakistan’s social and religious structure was altered so drastically that today, returning to normalcy seems impossible.

Another troubling reality is that Pakistanis are often more concerned about global issues than their own national progress. Whether it’s Palestine, the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar, or the plight of China’s Uighur Muslims, we never hesitate to raise our voices. Yet, when it comes to our own country’s welfare, we seem indifferent. Has any Palestinian leader, Hamas, or Hezbollah ever issued a statement in support of Pakistan’s fight against terrorism? Have they ever stood by our armed forces in times of crisis? Not once in the past several decades. Yet, we continue to exhaust ourselves over their struggles while neglecting our own.

Pakistan needs to shift its priorities. Our focus should be on strengthening our economy, ensuring internal stability, and adopting a pragmatic foreign policy that steers clear of unnecessary conflicts. But will this happen? Unlikely. We have developed a habit of overextending ourselves, engaging in battles that are beyond our capacity, and making ourselves an object of ridicule on the global stage. Unfortunately, economic development always seems to take a backseat.

The solution lies in adopting a modern and forward-thinking approach, much like Dubai. We must move past outdated ideologies and invest our efforts into genuine national progress. This is the need of the hour.