Pakistani man who went viral for good deed meets Dubai crown prince, gets cash reward

Dubai’s Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum meets delivery rider Abdul Ghafoor Abdul Hakeem on August 11, 2022. (Twitter/HamdanMohammed)
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Updated 18 August 2022
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Pakistani man who went viral for good deed meets Dubai crown prince, gets cash reward

  • Ghafoor Abdul Hakeem is seen in video clearing concrete slabs from busy road to help commuters avoid accidents
  • Last week, Ghafoor went to meet crown prince who he said thanked him, gave him unspecified reward of money

DUBAI: Pakistani expat Abdul Ghafoor Abdul Hakeem could not believe his ears when he got a call that Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the crown prince of Dubai, wanted to meet him.

Ghafoor, from Okara city in Pakistan, shot to Internet fame earlier this month when a video showed him picking up two concrete slabs from the middle of a busy junction and putting them to a side to help commuters avoid accidents.

The video clip, shot by an unknown motorist, showed Ghafoor parking his bike on the roadside and waiting for the traffic to clear before running to remove the slabs.

Soon after, the crown prince posted the video clip on his social media accounts, asking for the public to connect him with Ghafoor.

Last week, the delivery rider went to meet the crown prince who he said thanked him and gave him an unspecified reward of money. The company where Ghafoor works has also promised him a return ticket to Pakistan and given him a cash award.

From two failed businesses three years ago to taking up a job as a delivery rider in Dubai just a few months ago, Ghafoor, 26, still can’t believe his luck.

“When I got a call from Sheikh Hamdan, I thought someone was joking because why would the Sheikh call me?” Ghafoor told Arab News on Tuesday. “But he kept his promise and I met the Sheikh last week and he gave me lots of respect.”

Ghafoor, who is married and has a two and half year-old son in Pakistan who he hasn’t seen in over a year, hopes he can visit home soon.

“I will use the money to set up a business in Dubai,” the rider said, “and will also soon visit Pakistan because my family has heard this news and is waiting eagerly.”


Pakistan Airports Authority reports ‘historic’ twin-engine aircraft landing in Lahore

Updated 13 December 2025
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Pakistan Airports Authority reports ‘historic’ twin-engine aircraft landing in Lahore

  • Twin-engine aircraft are usually larger, heavier and require better airport infrastructure, navigation systems to land
  • Pakistan Airports Authority says landing reflects its commitment to enhance aviation sector, strengthen infrastructure

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) announced on Saturday that the New General Aviation Aerodrome achieved a significant milestone when it handled the landing of a twin-engine aircraft. 

A twin-engine aircraft has two engines that provide it redundancy and increased performance compared to single-engine counterparts. These aircraft range from small twin-engine propeller planes to large commercial jetliners. The presence of multiple engines enhances safety by allowing the aircraft to continue flying in the event of an engine failure.

However, twin-engine aircraft are usually larger, heavier and more complex than single-engine planes. They require advanced airport infrastructure such as better runways, navigation systems and air traffic coordination. 

“The New General Aviation Aerodrome, Lahore achieved another significant operational milestone today with the successful landing of a twin-engine aircraft, following the recent arrival of a single-engine aircraft,” the PAA said in a statement. 

It said the flight was also boarded by Air Vice Marshal Zeeshan Saeed, the director general of the PAA. The move reflected “strong institutional confidence” in the aerodrome’s safety standards, operational capability, and overall readiness, it added. 

“The landing was conducted with exceptional precision and professionalism, demonstrating the aerodrome’s robust operational framework, technical preparedness, and effective airside coordination in accordance with contemporary aviation requirements,” the PAA said. 

It said the landing represented a “major advancement” in Pakistan’s general aviation sector and underscores the PAA’s commitment to enhancing regional aviation capacity, strengthening infrastructure and promoting excellence in aviation development.