For a moment in time, Dubai-based taxi driver Omer Hayat Ajmal Khan has become the proud face of Pakistan, said Ambassador Jamil Ahmed Khan at a ceremony honouring the man who returned 123,700 Saudi riyals and jewellery left behind by a passenger in his cab.

The ambassador presented Omer with a silver plaque and a letter of appreciation for his act of integrity. The police force in Al Qusais, where Omer turned in the lost items, paid tribute to him earlier this week with gifts and a certificate.

“This is a demonstration of the people of Pakistan,” said Ambassador Khan. “The cardinal factor here is that people think that (in) the area he belongs to, only terrorists and extremists are being bred there. But it’s mostly people like him. They are all performing their duties with honesty and good character.”

Omer hails from the tribal area of Waziristan, located in northwestern Pakistan. He has been working in the UAE for two years.

aisha@khaleejtimes.com