Dubai: A Pakistani lawyer turned taxi driver was awarded as one of the best taxi drivers in Dubai by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) on Tuesday.
Muntazir Hussain, 39, practised law in Pakistan’s Sindh High Court for five years but a turn of fate forced him to become a taxi driver in 2008, and one of the best at that.
The ex-lawyer was among one of 50 cabbies honoured by RTA for their services.
Hussain, who works for the RTA’s Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC), has never had an accident in nine years, except for one minor incident when he was not liable.
“I am a lawyer by qualification and I am very particular about following the law. So I make sure every time I take the wheel I am focused and disciplined,” said Hussain, who has also not had a single customer complaint since he started working as a taxi driver.
He proudly says that he also hasn’t had any traffic fines for two years.
When asked why he chose to be a cabbie, Hussain, who also has a masters in international relations, said: “There is something called destiny. A person will only do what he is destined to do. Before I came here I managed to get a job as social security adviser in Pakistan but the salary was very low. I was earning around Rs9,000 and I couldn’t provide a good life for my family. When I came here I was desperate and when I got this job I accepted it and I have done well as a taxi driver.”
Another Pakistani taxi driver, Gohar Ali, who hasn’t had an accident in three years, was also among the winners.
Ali says having a cool mind is key to safe driving.
“If you keep your mind cool, you can achieve anything in life. As I drive it is key to not to take any stress. I also try to follow the rules as much as possible,” said Ali.
Of the 50 winners, Melanie Mangulabnan was the only woman driver.
The 39 year old has been driving DTC’s pink taxi for three years and has managed to remain accident- and fine-free.
“I love driving so I thought why not do it well. It is my motto to ensure that I drop the customer to his destination with a smile on his face,” said Mangulabnan.
Mangulabnan says patience is key to good driving.
“Money is very important to me, so I told myself I will not speed and I will not waste money in fines and I have managed to execute my plan well,” said the Filipina.
