As the United Arab Emirates marks its 54th National Day, the remarkable journey of Saeedullah Mian Muhammad Saeed stands as a testament to the nation’s transformative growth. Arriving from Pakistan on December 2, 1972—exactly one year after the UAE’s formation—the 24-year-old accountant brought with him dreams and determination that would become woven into the very fabric of the emerging nation.
Saeedullah’s professional odyssey began at International Trading Limited before he joined Dubai Electricity Company (DEC) as an accounts clerk in November 1973. His career trajectory mirrored Dubai’s spectacular development: he witnessed and contributed to the historic 1992 merger of DEC and Dubai Water Department that created the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). Through decades of dedicated service, Saeedullah played pivotal roles in financial coordination with the Kanoo Group and spearheaded DEWA’s critical transition to SAP systems that revolutionized billing operations.
Beyond his professional contributions, Saeedullah built a rich family life in the UAE. His 1975 marriage to Shahnaz blossomed into a family of seven children, all born in UAE hospitals benefiting from Sheikh Rashid’s free medical services. The family resided across Dubai’s evolving neighborhoods—from Deira and Karama to Al Qusais and Sheikh Zayed Road’s Blue Tower—their household eventually expanding to include sons-in-law, a daughter-in-law, and grandchildren living together in a vibrant multigenerational home.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought changes as four children relocated abroad, but Saeedullah’s connection to the UAE remained unshaken. After 47 years of service, he retired in April 2021 as Senior Manager of DEWA’s Billing Department, receiving the ultimate recognition: the UAE Golden Visa honoring his lifetime contribution to the nation’s development.
Now residing in Jumeirah with his wife, Saeedullah reflects on five decades that transformed sandy roads into a global metropolis. His story embodies the UAE’s spirit of opportunity, stability, and community—a foreign national who found not just employment but a true homeland, participating in one of the modern era’s most extraordinary national transformations.