On behalf of the embassy of Pakistan, myself and the Pakistani expatriate community in the UAE, I wish to extend to our Emirati brothers and sisters heartiest felicitations on the 46th National Day of the UAE. Since its founding in 1971, the UAE has made historic strides in all aspects of its national life. Today, it stands out as a model of inclusive development, tolerance and good governance within the Islamic world and globally.
These achievements are in no small measure due to the far-sighted vision and sagacious policies of the late Sheikh Zayed. Carrying forward his legacy, the current leadership of the UAE has continued to pursue path-breaking policies and far-reaching reforms. Pakistan and the UAE have a long history of a close and multi-faceted relationship. Some 1.5 million Pakistanis are among the many nationalities that have benefited from the UAE’s gracious hospitality and played their role in laying the institutional foundations of this great country. The UAE’s support in polio eradication is appreciated in particular. As our Emirati brothers and sisters celebrate this momentous occasion, Pakistanis join them in their celebrations and pray as always for enduring peace, progress and prosperity of the UAE, for the health and happiness of its leaders, and for the further strengthening and deepening of the special fraternal bond between the UAE and Pakistan.
Moazzam Ahmad Khan, ambassador of Pakistan to the UAE
It's nice to be part of this country and I give full support to the vision of our leaders. Proud to be a UAE resident. Just love the peace and the power this country gives.
Patricia Jumeirah, Dubai
Sheikh Zayed road was a one-lane bumpy track
In response to your article When the Abu Dhabi-Dubai commute was an international trip mired by pitfalls (November 30), I remember it from 1982 when I first visited the UAE. It was a one-lane bumpy track with speed bumps, blowing sand drifts and no lights. Grazing camels on the road at night caused many fatal accidents. Today it's a multi-lane superhighway. We can drive from our house in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, to our apartment in Dubai Marina in exactly one hour. Amazing.
Linda MacConnell, Abu Dhabi
The battle to win over voters in Gujarat is important on many fronts
India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wheels out big guns in Gujarat for elections in its stronghold (December 1) was an interesting read. The battle for Gujarat is not only important for the BJP but also the opposition Congress party to prove its existence. The way in which prime minister Narendra Modi is campaigning for this election clearly indicates that he wants to retain his party's power in the state for a fifth consecutive term. Will the BJP's strategy succeed against the Congress's powerful attacks, centred on the goods and services tax and the demonetisation scheme? Ultimately the people will decide.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India