ISLAMABAD: With just eight years of experience, Muhammad Tanveer, a Pakistani academic, moved to Saudi Arabia in 2002 after he was offered an opportunity to teach in the Kingdom.
Since then, Tanveer has not only gone on to become the principal of Pakistan International School Riyadh’s English section, but also found his home in the diverse Saudi society.
Tanveer, who is skilled in curriculum development, compliance management, administration and policy development, says he has become a “Saudi” after having spent 22 years in the Kingdom and is very much impressed by its culture.
“To contribute to the Saudi education process while living in Saudi Arabia has a great feeling of satisfaction. There are many countries where there are facilities, but Saudi Arabia is one of those few countries, where there is peace,” he said in a video shared by the Saudi media ministry on X on Friday.
“As an expat, I would say that I love Saudi Arabia and I love being a resident of Saudi Arabia for all the peace and comfort and protection that [the Saudi] society provides me.”
Saudi Arabia is home to more than 2 million Pakistani expatriates, who are a vital source of remittances to the South Asian country. The Kingdom regularly seeks skilled workers from Pakistan and both nations share strong cultural, economic and defense relations.
The Pakistani academic says he was always ambitious about excelling in his field and his motivation increased manifolds when he got an opportunity to teach in Saudi Arabia. Apart from the Saudi capital, he loves traveling to other beautiful places in the Kingdom, including Abha and Tabuk.
“My favorite place apart from Riyadh is Abha. It is a very beautiful place, every summer, it’s a magnificent place, weather is really great, so I love Abha. Similarly, Tabuk is very beautiful, Tabuk’s valleys are very beautiful,” he said.
“It is very touching to be part of the Saudi society, because the love, the cooperation and the support found in the Saudi society, I could not imagine it both individually and as a professional.”
‘Peace and comfort’: Pakistani academic finds home and harmony in Saudi Arabia
https://arab.news/9ucfh
‘Peace and comfort’: Pakistani academic finds home and harmony in Saudi Arabia
- Muhammad Tanveer moved to the Kingdom in 2002 after he was offered an opportunity to teach in Saudi Arabia
- He has gone on to become a school principal, but also calls himself a ‘Saudi’ after having spent 22 years there
Pakistan orders four-day workweek, shuts schools to save fuel amid Middle East oil crisis
- The development comes as ongoing US-Israeli strikes on Iran disrupt oil supplies in Strait of Hormuz, push prices past $119 a barrel
- Islamabad bans government purchases, cuts fuel allocation for vehicles as well as workforce in public and private offices by 50 percent
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday announced austerity measures, including a four-day work week, cuts in government expenditures and closure of schools, to offset the impact of rising global oil prices due to an ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Global fuel supply lines have been disrupted in the Strait of Hormuz, which supplies nearly a fourth of world oil consumption, after Tehran blocked it following United States-Israeli strikes on Iran and counterattacks against US interests in the Gulf region.
Oil prices surged more than 25 percent globally on Monday to $119.50 a barrel, the highest levels since mid-2022, as some major producers cut supplies and fears of prolonged shipping disruptions gripped the market due to the expanding US-Israeli war with Iran.
In his televised address on Sunday night, Sharif said global oil prices were expected to rise again in the coming days but vowed not to let the people bear their brunt, announcing austerity measures to lessen the impact of fuel price hikes.
“Fifty percent staff in public and private entities will work from home,” he announced, adding this would not be applicable to essential services. “Offices will remain open for four days a week. One-day additional off is being given to conserve oil, but it would not be applicable to banks.”
Sharif didn’t specify working days of the week and the government was likely to issue a notification in this regard.
He said a decrease of 50 percent was being made in fuel allocation for government vehicles immediately for the next two months, but they would not include ambulances and public buses.
“Cabinet members, advisers and special assistants will not draw salaries for the next two months, 25 percent salaries of parliamentarians are being deducted, two-day salaries of Grade 20 and above officers, or those who are paid Rs300,000 ($1,067) a month, are being deducted for public relief,” he said.
Similarly, there will be 20 percent reduction in public department expenses and a complete ban on the purchase of cars, furniture, air conditioners and other goods, according to the prime minister.
Foreign trips of ministers and other government officials will also be banned along with government dinners and iftar buffets, while teleconferences and online meetings will be given priority.
“All schools will be off for two weeks, starting from the end of this week, and all higher education institutions should immediately begin online classes,” he said.
Sharif’s comments were aired hours after Pakistani authorities said the country had “comfortable levels” of petroleum stocks and the supply chains were functioning smoothly, despite intensifying Middle East conflict.
Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said three oil shipments were due to reach Pakistan this week, state media reported.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Navy (PN) launched ‘Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr’ to safeguard national energy shipments, the Pakistani military said on Monday, amid disruptions to critical sea lanes due to the conflict.
The navy is conducting escort operations in close coordination with the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing. It is fully cognizant of the prevailing maritime situation and is actively monitoring and controlling the movement of merchant vessels to ensure their safe and secure transit.
“With approximately 90 percent of Pakistan’s trade conducted via sea, the operation aims to ensure that vital sea routes remain safe, secure, and uninterrupted,” the ISPR said on Monday. “Currently, PN ships are escorting 2 x Merchant Vessels, one of which is scheduled to arrive Karachi today.”
