hey guys It’s been a while since I last posted. I’ve been caught up with work and preparing for my upcoming exams next month, but I thought I’d take a moment to share an update. Things have continued to go downhill for both me and the fish. Unfortunately, my dad recently lost his new job due to an unfinished task he couldn’t complete because of his legal status. He had only been working there for a couple of months, so this was devastating for our family. If you’ve seen my previous thread, you already know my dad hasn’t always been the most responsible, which led to a long-awaited decision: we’re leaving the country. We’ve been settled in Saudi Arabia (KSA) for over 20 years but have been entangled in legal issues for the past 10. With no proper access to medical care, freedom to travel, or other essential resources, my older siblings and I finally convinced our mom to return to our home country—Pakistan. I know that might be surprising to some of you, but yes, I’m a Pakistani national, as is my entire family. If you’re wondering why we chose Pakistan, it’s because we really didn’t have any other option. Our passport limits our ability to relocate elsewhere, and the financial burden just adds to that challenge. To explain a bit more: in KSA, a monthly fee must be paid for each dependent family member (this includes spouses, children, etc.). Since my father first lost his job back in 2015, he hasn’t been able to keep up with those payments. That debt, along with unpaid rent and other legal issues, has now grown into a massive amount. Everyone in my family except my father is eligible to leave the country through a process called a "Final Exit," which involves canceling our Iqama (a legal residency document for expats) and returning to Pakistan, with little to no chance of returning. We’ve decided to go through with it. Life in Pakistan may not be perfect, but it’s significantly more affordable, and at least we’ll have more freedom, access to healthcare, and educational opportunities. Our dad will stay behind and try to work to repay his debts. We don’t know when or how we’ll be able to see him again. Two of my older siblings are already in Pakistan studying at universities, and now it’s our turn to make that move. It won’t be easy, but it’s better than living like prisoners. At least in Pakistan, we’ll be able to live with some dignity. There’s a lot more to this story, but I’ll leave it out for now, since it's not entirely relevant.
as for the fish I bought a second-hand 90-gallon tank to temporarily house them until I sell them in June. Sadly, I lost a few including an Arowana and some smaller fish because of the chaos during our last house shift. I’m also planning to give away or sell my other pets. My goal is to get back into the hobby once I start earning my own money. Like I said before, we’ve made countless sacrifices, and we’ll likely have to make more. But as many of you reminded me tough times make tough people. I’m going to hold my dad, and those who wronged us (not legally, but relatives and others), accountable for the harm they caused my siblings, my mom, and me. The laws here make it nearly impossible for individuals to act independently or move forward on their own. I hope things get better for us soon.
in the meantime how are you guys doing? I’ve attached a few pictures of the fish. The RTC and Midas aren’t looking their best, but I’m doing everything I can until I’m able to sell them properly.
ps If you’re wondering why I’m not earning money myself it’s because the law here doesn’t allow me to separate my legal status from my father’s. And even if I were legal, there are no job opportunities for teens; that’s just how the system works here.
as for the fish I bought a second-hand 90-gallon tank to temporarily house them until I sell them in June. Sadly, I lost a few including an Arowana and some smaller fish because of the chaos during our last house shift. I’m also planning to give away or sell my other pets. My goal is to get back into the hobby once I start earning my own money. Like I said before, we’ve made countless sacrifices, and we’ll likely have to make more. But as many of you reminded me tough times make tough people. I’m going to hold my dad, and those who wronged us (not legally, but relatives and others), accountable for the harm they caused my siblings, my mom, and me. The laws here make it nearly impossible for individuals to act independently or move forward on their own. I hope things get better for us soon.
in the meantime how are you guys doing? I’ve attached a few pictures of the fish. The RTC and Midas aren’t looking their best, but I’m doing everything I can until I’m able to sell them properly.
ps If you’re wondering why I’m not earning money myself it’s because the law here doesn’t allow me to separate my legal status from my father’s. And even if I were legal, there are no job opportunities for teens; that’s just how the system works here.
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