Related: Victims of Abu Dhabi's deadly Houthi attack named
The family of a Pakistani oil tanker driver killed in the terrorist attack in Abu Dhabi last week have told of how he dreamt of seeing his son become a doctor.
Mamoor Khan, a father of eight, was one of three men who lost their lives when Yemen's Houthi militia struck an Adnoc oil storage plant on Monday, January 17.
Six others were injured in the attack.
His wife is inconsolable and needs to be sedated twice a day. Her late husband's funeral was on Friday in Isori village, in north-west Pakistan’s Waziristan region.
Everyone is sad, everyone is troubled, no one is the same from the day that my Abu died
Yasir Ahmed,
eldest son of Mamoor Khan, victim of terrorist attack
“My family is in depression. When my mother wakes up, she cries, cries, cries all the time,” Yasir Ahmed, the eldest of Mr Khan’s children, told The National from outside a mosque in Isori village where prayers were being offered for his father.
“I cannot even speak to my mother. When she sees me, she cries. We call the doctor for an injection two times a day to put her to sleep. Everyone is sad in my house, everyone is troubled, no one is the same from the day that my Abu died.”
The children, the youngest being 7, referred to their father as Abu or Baba.
Devoted father worked to provide for family
Khan travelled to the UAE to work in 1999 and returned every year to visit his home country.
The family relied on his income as a tanker driver in Abu Dhabi.
He would stay connected with his loved ones, sending them pictures of his life in the UAE, while they would send him images from back home.
“He had one dream. He would tell everyone, ‘I’m working so that my son becomes a doctor’. He said he would stop working in the UAE as soon as my brother became a doctor,” Mr Ahmed said.
“We have memories and memories of Abu. He wanted all my brothers and sisters to study hard, but his main dream was for my younger brother to be a doctor.”
Their hopes for the future rested on Amir Ahmed, 14, who shared his father’s passion for education and aimed to make it to medical school.
The 49-year-old Pakistani expatriate called home regularly and sometimes sent parcels home as a surprise for his children.
Earlier this month, he sent a package of almonds and cashews with a friend who returned home to Khyber Pakhtunkwa province.
When Yasir Ahmed asked his father to take him to the UAE to work, he remembers always being told it was difficult to be separated from the family.
“He would tell me to stay home. He said, ‘It’s very painful to be far away from your children and family for so long, it’s very difficult'."
The 20-year-old suddenly finds himself as the head of the family with the responsibility of paying bills and caring for his younger siblings.
Mr Ahmed works in construction for a daily wage after dropping out of school and is anxious about caring for a large family.
“I didn't study like the rest. I worry about how I will take care of my family. In a day, I earn 500-600 Pakistani rupees [about $3.26], and one litre of ghee [cooking oil] costs 350 rupees,” he said.
“Now every day I worry – should I take something home for the children or should I save it for the rent.”
As the family grieves for their Abu, they are also anxious about the future.
“My father’s dream is incomplete. How will my brother study further? Education is expensive. My father would send us money. All his money would go in education. He wanted my brother to become something.
“Abu was our only support. We have nothing now.”
The UAE Government and Adnoc have committed to maintaining support for all families who suffered from the attack.
Abu Dhabi blast victims repatriated: in pictures
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Short-term let permits explained
Homeowners and tenants are allowed to list their properties for rental by registering through the Dubai Tourism website to obtain a permit.
Tenants also require a letter of no objection from their landlord before being allowed to list the property.
There is a cost of Dh1,590 before starting the process, with an additional licence fee of Dh300 per bedroom being rented in your home for the duration of the rental, which ranges from three months to a year.
Anyone hoping to list a property for rental must also provide a copy of their title deeds and Ejari, as well as their Emirates ID.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
The five pillars of Islam
Padmaavat
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh
3.5/5
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
LIVERPOOL%20TOP%20SCORERS
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The Word for Woman is Wilderness
Abi Andrews, Serpent’s Tail
