Here’s how a Pakistani chauffeur used Dh100,000 UAE Lottery prize to change his family's future
Winner reflects on nine months of life-changing support for loved ones
DUBAI – A Pakistani expatriate living in Abu Dhabi is looking back on how a Dh100,000 lottery prize helped him navigate some of his family's biggest milestones over the past nine months.
From celebrating his son's wedding to undergoing long-awaited surgery and supporting relatives back home, the prize became a source of relief during a significant period in his life. The winner says the experience also strengthened his commitment to helping others.
Family first
Abdul Salam Muhammad Ashraf, a 55-year-old limousine chauffeur from Sahiwal, Pakistan, won the Dh100,000 Lucky Chance prize in one of The UAE Lottery's Lucky Day Draws held in November 2025. Nearly nine months later, he says the winnings allowed him to complete several important personal and family commitments that had been on hold.
Ashraf said the prize contributed towards his son's wedding celebrations and enabled him to undergo a successful medical surgery. He also used part of the money to support his daughter with the purchase of a car in Pakistan and made charitable donations.
"I was able to complete the things that mattered most to me," he said. "My son's wedding was a wonderful family occasion, my surgery was successful, and I was also able to support my loved ones. I'm grateful for that."
Despite the financial windfall, Ashraf chose not to spend the money on himself. Instead, he prioritised his family's needs, saying that seeing them benefit from the prize brought him the greatest satisfaction.
"I didn't buy anything for myself," he said. "I wanted to use the prize to support my family and help with things that were important to us. That made me very happy."
He continues to work as a limousine chauffeur in Abu Dhabi and says he remains thankful for everything the prize made possible over the past several months.
Giving back
Looking ahead, Ashraf hopes to expand his charitable efforts if the opportunity arises. He said he would like to support more families in his community in Pakistan, adding that giving back has always been important to him.
He continues to participate in The UAE Lottery's Lucky Day Draw, sometimes selecting his own numbers and at other times using the Easy Pick option. Ashraf said he appreciates that the lottery is affordable and gives people the chance to take part while hoping for another memorable moment.
The UAE Lottery's Lucky Day Draw is held every Wednesday and Saturday, offering a $30 million Grand Prize and a $5 million Second Prize. The games are fully regulated by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority, with organisers stating that all draws are conducted under responsible gaming standards to ensure a safe, transparent and regulated experience for participants.