I know this is random. I live in these two countries moving bw them so I wondered.
Mostly I know what people think of each, but I did wonder if there was a difference in opinion here in a more leftist space.
Qatar as the labour exploiting oil nation?
Pakistan the third world country culturally like India with Islamic fundamentalists and terrorists etc?
PS. If you have any question about either, happy to answer.
Wrote this in a hurry and made gpt rewrite it for better eligibility.
No Path to Belonging Expatriates remain outsiders regardless of time spent in the country. There is no permanent residency or citizenship pathway unless born to a Qatari man.
Rigid Social Hierarchy Discrimination based on nationality and appearance is widespread. Qataris are at the top, followed by Westerners, then Arabs, East Asians, South Asians, and Africans.
Racism and Social Isolation Locals often show disdain toward expats, maintaining distance and superiority. Even children reflect this behavior, which goes unchecked.
Growing Hostility There’s a rise in anti-expat practices: visa cancellations, lack of NOCs, unpaid wages, delayed payments, and demotions.
Selective Immigration Qatar now seeks only skilled Western professionals. Lower-income workers are being sidelined as the country distances itself from its labor-reliant past.
Poor Driving Culture Despite excellent roads, traffic behavior is reckless. Qatar has one of the highest road fatality rates per capita.
Limited Legal Protection Court proceedings are in Arabic. Legal aid is costly and inaccessible for many, leaving expats vulnerable.
Unprofessional Business Environment Unpaid salaries, ignored contracts, and delayed invoices are common. Accountability is rare.
Disrespect for Time and Order There’s no functioning queue system. Nationals are prioritized regardless of wait time.
Overpriced Housing Market Rent is high, quality is low, and buying property is nearly impossible for expats.
Language Exclusion With 60% of the population not speaking Arabic, government services remain largely inaccessible to non-Arabic speakers.
Rising Costs Utilities, telecom, and daily expenses are increasingly unaffordable, with some of the world’s highest rates.
Lack of Entertainment Cultural and recreational options are limited, contributing to a boring lifestyle.
Qatar’s modern exterior hides outdated laws and systemic inequality. The promised post–World Cup transformation never arrived. For many expats, the country feels hollow.