emirates7 - As fresh military tensions flare between India and Pakistan, expatriates from both nations living in the UAE are urging their governments to pursue peace, dialogue, and restraint.
India’s recent missile strike in response to the April terror attack in Pahalgam has sparked unease among Indian and Pakistani expats across the Emirates.
Many expatriates said they have been closely following the latest developments via their phones and television, hoping the situation de-escalates quickly.
Calls for Dialogue and Restraint
“Both countries are nuclear powers—they need to talk,” said Sardar Shabbir Khan, a Pakistani-American businessman based in Dubai.
Khan appealed to leaders on both sides to avoid escalation and prioritise communication. “Every war ends at the negotiation table—let’s not sacrifice lives and wreck economies,” he said, criticising political theatrics and military aggression. He stressed the importance of valuing human life above all else.
“One wrong move can lead to catastrophe. Both sides must come to the table—war solves nothing,” he added.
Kuldeep Singh, an Indian plumber in Dubai originally from Pathankot near the India-Pakistan border, said the news struck a personal chord. “Our village is calm for now, but schools and colleges are shut. Being so close to the border adds to the anxiety. I just hope the hostilities end today,” he said after checking in with family back home.
Emotional and Psychological Impact
Sharjah-based businessman Raja Amjad Kabbir echoed similar sentiments. “War is not the answer—it only breeds fear and destruction. Dialogue is the only viable path forward,” he said, calling for international efforts to defuse the situation.
He also spoke of the emotional burden such conflicts place on civilians. “The psychological strain is real—this fear affects everyone,” he said, urging social media platforms to act responsibly and avoid spreading panic and misinformation.
Dr. Thahira Kallumurikkal, an Indian audiologist, author, and social worker based in Al Ain, emphasized the lasting mental impact of conflict, especially on women.
“Women tend to suffer more psychologically in such situations,” she said.
She shared an encounter with a Pakistani patient earlier that morning, noting how they both expressed concern over the conflict while also appreciating the peaceful coexistence they enjoy in the UAE. “In a country like the UAE, home to nearly 200 nationalities, we prove that peaceful living is possible,” she added.
India’s recent missile strike in response to the April terror attack in Pahalgam has sparked unease among Indian and Pakistani expats across the Emirates.
Many expatriates said they have been closely following the latest developments via their phones and television, hoping the situation de-escalates quickly.
Calls for Dialogue and Restraint
“Both countries are nuclear powers—they need to talk,” said Sardar Shabbir Khan, a Pakistani-American businessman based in Dubai.
Khan appealed to leaders on both sides to avoid escalation and prioritise communication. “Every war ends at the negotiation table—let’s not sacrifice lives and wreck economies,” he said, criticising political theatrics and military aggression. He stressed the importance of valuing human life above all else.
“One wrong move can lead to catastrophe. Both sides must come to the table—war solves nothing,” he added.
Kuldeep Singh, an Indian plumber in Dubai originally from Pathankot near the India-Pakistan border, said the news struck a personal chord. “Our village is calm for now, but schools and colleges are shut. Being so close to the border adds to the anxiety. I just hope the hostilities end today,” he said after checking in with family back home.
Emotional and Psychological Impact
Sharjah-based businessman Raja Amjad Kabbir echoed similar sentiments. “War is not the answer—it only breeds fear and destruction. Dialogue is the only viable path forward,” he said, calling for international efforts to defuse the situation.
He also spoke of the emotional burden such conflicts place on civilians. “The psychological strain is real—this fear affects everyone,” he said, urging social media platforms to act responsibly and avoid spreading panic and misinformation.
Dr. Thahira Kallumurikkal, an Indian audiologist, author, and social worker based in Al Ain, emphasized the lasting mental impact of conflict, especially on women.
“Women tend to suffer more psychologically in such situations,” she said.
She shared an encounter with a Pakistani patient earlier that morning, noting how they both expressed concern over the conflict while also appreciating the peaceful coexistence they enjoy in the UAE. “In a country like the UAE, home to nearly 200 nationalities, we prove that peaceful living is possible,” she added.