Pakistani national wins big in UAE weekly lottery draw
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Two expatriates in the UAE, one from Pakistan and the other from Portugal, have each won AED 250,000 in the Big Ticket weekly e-draw held in Abu Dhabi.
Nadeem Afzal, a UAE resident from Pakistan, purchased his winning ticket, number 272-339880, online. Expressing his excitement, he called the win a life-changing moment.
The second winner, Edward Fernandes, a 58-year-old expatriate from Lisbon, has lived in Dubai for 29 years and has been trying his luck since 2004.
'I don't remember how I first heard about Big Ticket in 2004,' Fernandes said. Despite two decades of attempts, he remained hopeful.
When he received the winning call, Fernandes sensed something special. 'I thought something was there if Richard was calling,' he said.
Fernandes plans to use his winnings to pay off loans and support his son's medical treatment. However, he remains optimistic about future draws.
'I am purchasing lots of tickets even for this month. I have three tickets for March 3. If I win the grand prize, I have so much hope and many dreams,' he added.
Big Ticket draws continue, with tickets available online at www.bigticket.ae or at counters in Zayed International Airport and Al Ain Airport.
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