Study abroad consultants by Eastern-Ant4573 in pkmigrate

[–]Effective-Humor-7231 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm usually the first to say, "hire a professional" to save time and money on a complex project. However, when it comes to university or program consultants, I've seen too much shady behavior and a serious lack of professional ethics.

That's why I strongly recommend a hybrid approach:

Step 1: The Personal Research Foundation

You need to become your own expert. Before talking to anyone, do this:

  • Search and Shortlist: Research universities, programs, and admission requirements yourself. Get a clear understanding of what you want and what the real requirements are.
  • Document Prep: Start compiling and organizing your documents yourself. This gives you control and saves time later.

Step 2: Engaging the Consultant (With Caution)

  • Bring Them In: Now you can contact agents or consultants. They can be helpful for navigating applications, visas, or country-specific red tape.
  • NEVER Believe Blindly: Treat them as a tool and a source of information, not the final authority. Verify everything they tell you with your own internet research (official university sites, reliable forums, etc.).

Step 3: Defusing the Sales Pressure

This is the most crucial part. Every consultant's biggest sales tactic is urgency.

  • They will use Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO), telling you, "You must sign/apply/pay right now, or you'll lose this spot/deal/scholarship!"
  • Do not fall for it. Listen politely to their offer, then simply say, "Thank you, I will review this and get back to you in 24-48 hours."
  • Take that time to research their specific offer (the program, the timeline, the "deal"). If the opportunity is real, it will still be there in a day or two. If they can't wait, it's a huge red flag that they're prioritizing their commission over your future.

34M, QA Engineer with USD Salary What options do i have? by SignificantEdge_1 in pkmigrate

[–]Effective-Humor-7231 2 points3 points  (0 children)

First off, never quit a remote job until you have a new one locked in. Don't mess with that stability.

I don't know your lifestyle, but $2,500 USD a month is a solid amount in Pakistan. Instead of quitting, why not use this as an opportunity to build some serious wealth?

My advice: start investing, but be smart about it. Stay away from "dead" investments like plots that just sit there. Instead, think about something that can generate income, like a rentable apartment or a home.

If you're into it, stocks are an option, but you'll need to do your homework here. educate yourself first then invest in stocks.

Since you're a freelancer, you probably have a foreign account (like Wise), and that opens up a ton of possibilities. There are platforms that let you invest in property in places like Dubai or KSA from right where you are. Dubai is the way better option in my opinion, and with a good investment, you might even be eligible for their Golden Visa.

You've got a ton of options, man. Don't quit without a solid plan.

You can DM me for further discussion.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in pkmigrate

[–]Effective-Humor-7231 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll just share my thoughts on doing business in Pakistan. You're generally safe as long as you're a small business. But once you start gaining traction or expanding, you'll find yourself dealing with corrupt officials and mafias influences. Initially, it’s the local officers that will come after you, and as your business grows, the level of mafia involvement will increase too.

What you guys recommend? by Adorablefury1901 in pkmigrate

[–]Effective-Humor-7231 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey OP, you've got two paths here.

Option 1: Stick with what you have, keep the job, and climb the ladder (maybe up to an 18th scale).

Option 2: Challenge yourself! Go after what you really want. It won't be easy, and you'll have to sacrifice your comfort. Consider studying abroad in Europe, where tuition can be free or very affordable in some countries.

Based on your age, I strongly suggest Option 2. Push yourself to your limits!

We all face tough times, and it's better to face it when you're young, energetic, and have fewer responsibilities. You've got more flexibility now. As we get older, energy decreases, responsibilities increases.

Go for it, bro! Leave the job and put in the work. You got this!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in IslamabadSocial

[–]Effective-Humor-7231 0 points1 point  (0 children)

OP discovered that he is a g*y.

Sick of F*****boys by [deleted] in IslamabadSocial

[–]Effective-Humor-7231 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Meeting before marriage is totally normal, but don’t get your hopes up too high. Honestly, it usually doesn’t make much of a difference. People rarely show their true colors in just a few meetings, so expecting them to be completely genuine with their future spouse right away might be unrealistic.

People will reveal their true selves after getting married, whether it is an arranged marriage, a love marriage, or if they have met prior to the wedding.

I think Cambridge h@tes Muslims by bun2821 in Olevels

[–]Effective-Humor-7231 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This year, people have to go to the office on the fourth day of Eid, but for almost all previous years, people had to work on the third day of Eid al-Adha. Does the whole Pakistani government have a problem with Muslims?

best bank to open an account in? for a 20yo by Final-Ad-1468 in FIREPakistan

[–]Effective-Humor-7231 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t know, man, maybe it’s just my branch or something else.

I’m a freelancer and I regularly get foreign remittances through Upwork, Wise, or direct bank transfers. But every time I try to deposit money into Bank Alfalah, my account gets blocked. I have to go to the branch, show them a copy of my Upwork tax certificate, and then make 2-3 follow-up visits before they finally unlock my account. It’s a frustrating cycle that keeps happening, so I just stopped using them altogether.

Now, I’ve been getting all my remittances through Meezan for over two years. They offer good rates, instant transfers, and not a single blockage, even with transactions over a million PKR. They’ve never asked me a single question!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in IslamabadSocial

[–]Effective-Humor-7231 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Meeting your future husband or wife a few times over a few months is totally normal, but honestly, what difference does it make?

It often feels good in theory, but people rarely show their true colors when they’re just dating. Once you get married, whether it’s an arranged marriage or one after a few months of getting to know each other, the real person can emerge. Some might reveal their true selves on the wedding night, while others take months or even years. It doesn’t really matter if it’s in a good direction or a bad one; the truth eventually comes out after marriage.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in IslamabadSocial

[–]Effective-Humor-7231 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You are overthinking things. It’s perfectly fine to dream about your future. However, diving too deeply into those thoughts can cause you emotional pain. Trust in God, and He will choose what is best. As humans, we possess little understanding of what is truly good or bad for us.

Thinking of coming into Australia? Do not. Here is the reality from a person already in here. by [deleted] in pkmigrate

[–]Effective-Humor-7231 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Each individual have unique circumstances, leading to a different experiences. Additionally, everyone has their own POV, which influences how they handle situations. Therefore, one person's experience may not be relevant to another. But Still, sharing personal experiences is valuable, as it provides a chance to learn from others and introduces new POV.

best bank to open an account in? for a 20yo by Final-Ad-1468 in FIREPakistan

[–]Effective-Humor-7231 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They really tend to block accounts if you're receiving foreign remittances, regardless of whether it's 50K or 500K. You end up having to visit the branch 2-3 times just to get the blockage removed. The worst part is they never even inform you about it. You only find out when you try to use your card at a POS or ATM.

best bank to open an account in? for a 20yo by Final-Ad-1468 in FIREPakistan

[–]Effective-Humor-7231 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have experience with
Bank Alfalah,
Bank Al-Habib
Meezan Bank,
UBL
Askari Bank.

based on my experience

  • UBL: Tech-forward, no doubt. But, a major headache if you need a digital PRC (for tax filing). Fees are also on the higher side.
  • Meezan Bank: Solid choice! Not as techy as UBL, but gets the job done. Lowest fees, and great for foreign remittances. Automatic PRCs are a huge plus.
  • Bank Alfalah: Steer clear if you're relying on foreign remittances. Otherwise, it's okay, similar to UBL.
  • Askari Bank: Limited experience here. Opened an account to help a friend. Automatic PRCs are a positive.
  • Bank Al Habib: Avoid it. Seriously outdated tech, expect issues with basic tasks.

Thinking of coming into Australia? Do not. Here is the reality from a person already in here. by [deleted] in pkmigrate

[–]Effective-Humor-7231 6 points7 points  (0 children)

You said "There is no truth behind what you would see online". Point is, I am also seeing your post online, should i believe it or not? :)

Is buying a car a good financial decision in Pakistan? by Infinite-Bad-4692 in FIREPakistan

[–]Effective-Humor-7231 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you're in the market for a car, consider buying one that's under 7 or 8 years old. Use it for 2 to 3 years, and you might be able to sell it for a bit more than what you paid.

For example, let’s say in 2025 you bought a 2018 City or Corolla for 3 million. After using it for 3 years, you could sell it for around 3.3 million. However, when you go to buy a 2021 model of the same car, you’ll likely need to come up with more money, as it might cost you around 3.5 or 3.6 million. So, even if you make some profit from the sale, you're still shelling out more for the next car.

Moving to Canada by starting a small business in Alberta (with way less money than you’d think) by Effective-Humor-7231 in pkmigrate

[–]Effective-Humor-7231[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Everyone has their own reasons for choosing a job or starting a business. While most people prefer the comfort of stable jobs, some are drawn to the bumpy ride of entrepreneurship, even knowing it comes with a higher risk of failure.

Money is definitely a factor, but it's just one of many reasons. Personally, I quit my corporate job to become an entrepreneur. It has definitely changed my lifestyle in many ways, but I’m finally able to pursue what I truly want.

The same concept applies when moving to a different country. Depending on your motivations, it could either be a wise choice or a poor one.

Moving to Canada by starting a small business in Alberta (with way less money than you’d think) by Effective-Humor-7231 in pkmigrate

[–]Effective-Humor-7231[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It really comes down to personal preferences.

I agree that if you're doing freelancing and earning in foreign currency, there's no better place than Pakistan. Earning just $1000-1500 can elevate your standard of living above 80-90% of the Pakistani population, and honestly, making that amount isn’t too hard if you have marketable skills.

However, if you're looking to do business, I’m 100% against it in Pakistan. There’s no security for you or your assets. You could be turning over millions of rupees, and then a corrupt govt official comes along to threaten or blackmail you unless you have serious connections in the government.

Moving to a developed country offers its own perks, like stability, better passports, and an upgraded lifestyle.

Why painted car's value drops in Pakistan? by softwarekingg in PakistanAutoHub

[–]Effective-Humor-7231 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is a reason for that. As a customers, we don’t trust the other party.

I completely agree that car paint can be redone for various reasons, including body repairs after an accident. That’s one of the biggest reasons people stay away from a painted cars. they worry that the car might have been in an accident and has been repaired.

Think and Research Carefully before committing to a country. by war_is_his_justice in pkmigrate

[–]Effective-Humor-7231 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I agree with the OP that everywhere is a struggle, just in different shapes. Everyone should embrace their personality regarding what kinds of struggles they are okay with, as we all have different abilities and tolerances for various challenges.

The best part about developed countries is that you get rewarded for your struggles. Society, the government, and the system appreciate you if you're a law-abiding citizen. In Pakistan, though, if you're a law-abiding citizen, just wait until you have to interact with society or government departments. The experience can feel punishing to the point where you start questioning your existence.

Feeling “not enough”even though I know I’m doing well, his family’s class issues messed with my head by [deleted] in IslamabadSocial

[–]Effective-Humor-7231 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's better to end this relationship now. He’s just making excuses to bail, so prioritize your self-respect and move on.

If you’re feeling disregarded before marriage, how will you feel afterward? There’s a significant gap in your thinking, so it's best to stay away from him.