It said a live TV fund raising campaign was being run on several Emirati television channels. Pakistan has a close ties with the oil-rich Emirates, where hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis live and work, mostly laborers.

For nearly a month, torrential monsoon rain has triggered massive floods in Pakistan steadily moving from north to south, affecting a fifth of the country — an area roughly the size of England — and 17 million people.

A senior US official said last week that countries worldwide have pledged a total of more than 700 million dollars toward flood relief in Pakistan.

Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai while addressing about 700 delegates of the Global Agenda Summit Conference said that the UAE economy is recovering from the impact of the global financial crisis. He further said:

The measures we have taken include developing laws and regulations related to the banking system, foreign investment, governance, transparency and business practices.

We have also restructured a number of our companies and institutions to adapt to the emerging post-crisis world order. We have also rearranged our domestic agenda to support our ability to continue our dynamic economic development and better define our future.

We have supported investment in our infrastructure, and completed giant projects on time. Simultaneously, we have maintained steadiness in realising our strategic plans, especially in the sectors of tourism, logistics, urban transport, new technology, renewable energy, and atomic energy for peaceful uses.

Apartment prices increased by 6% quarter on quarter, villa prices increased by 9% and townhouse prices increased by 7% compared to the second quarter.The overall volume of market transactions increased by 64% during the third quarter compared to the previous quarter.

“The increased availability of finance and a softening of loan-to-value ratios eased the liquidity concerns of purchasers. Supporting this demand is a perception of improved expatriate job security, excluding the real estate sector. In addition, the ability of purchasers to monitor the actual progress of developments has allowed for greater transparency regarding progress,” the Colliers report said.

While units in some developments and areas saw a severe drop in prices this year due to location and quality, others showed more resilience. Well-planned, mature developments in good locations complete with facilities and a good infrastructure will enjoy highest demand.

Previously known as the Trucial States, the United Arab Emirates was formed in 1971 comprising of  seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm Al Qaiwain. The president of the United Arab Emirates is Khalifa bin  Zayed Bin Al Nahayan, who was elected president after the death of his father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in November 2004. The UAE residents have a high standard of living and level of education, and the country is investing a great deal in transforming the desert into a green and pleasant land.

While addressing at the opening of UAE consultative assembly, the Federal National Council, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan said:

Despite its negative effects, the global economic crisis has demonstrated the strength of our economy. Our economy is complementary, headed by the federation … which organizes all aspects of our lives and which takes on all the challenges we face.

Earlier this year when speculation mounted that the Emirate of Abu Dhabi sought to lay hands on several ailing companies in Dubai, the UAE president intervened to assert that the two emirates needed cooperation to face the financial crisis.

Dubai announced in February this year a plan to issue treasury bonds worth twenty billion dollars. The UAE central bank subscribed half of the treasury bonds.

She further said, “It was then I realised the need to be a designer for the modern Muslim woman, especially because there weren’t any designers catering especially to our needs to dress modestly and yet stylishly”. She was refering to the time after she started wearing hijab. The full interview was published by Gulfnews. She has won few awards in fasion designing.

Analysts say the UAE faces no imminent threats, but add that the intensifying standoff between the UN and Iran over its nuclear programme has increased the overall risk of conflict in the region. Iran has ratcheted up its military capabilities by adding the Shahab-3, a medium-range offensive missile, to its arsenal.  Raytheon did not disclose the number of missiles it would sell to the UAE yesterday, but according to earlier statements it could be as high as 216.  The UAE is also considering acquiring a shorter-range Surface-Launched Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile from Raytheon, which can be used to take out low-flying cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.

A leading banker, who wanted to remain unidentified, said a possible initiative from the government which could restore confidence and help galvanise the real estate sector is to reconsider the provision of residence visa facility for buyers of free-hold residential units. “In fact, an impression created by some developers during the beginning of the recent property boom cycle that all free-hold buyers would be granted residential status had been driving the market at a phenomenal pace of growth. However, a few months ago when authorities clarified that buyers of free-hold property were not entitled for residential visa status, the market started to get a jolt as several international investors pulled out of the market.”

Dr Ram Buxani, founder-chairman of Overseas Indians Economic Forum, said those who bought multiple of units to take advantage of lucrative earning opportunities should be accorded “an affordable exist route so that they do not resort to distress sales, delaying further the recovery of property market. The projects which have not taken off or just started must be put on hold and impatient and incapable investors should be allowed a convenient exit.” He said the sudden demand slump in the market and credit squeeze by banks have caught such investors unawares. “Faced with a Catch-22 situation, they are likely to default or resort to distress sales that may aggravate the resulting in longer delays for the market to revive. These individuals need to be addressed differently than bulk corporate and rich investors.”