Dubai( The COW News Digital)A Pakistani businessman residing in Dubai for the past 20 years has struck gold, winning a substantial lottery prize in the popular Big Ticket draw. Sarfaraz Sheikh, who has been participating regularly in the lottery for the last five years, won AED 75,000 (approximately PKR 5.8 million) in the 276th edition of the draw.
Sarfaraz, a seasoned entrepreneur based in the UAE, shared that the moment he found out about his win was surreal and deeply emotional. “It was an unexpected surprise — a feeling that’s hard to describe,” he said, speaking to local media.
He added that ever since moving to Dubai, he had been inspired by stories of other expats winning the Big Ticket prize and remained hopeful that one day his name would also be called. “I never missed a draw. Even when I didn’t win, I told myself maybe next time,” he shared.
The lucky win has already inspired a celebratory gesture: Sarfaraz plans to take his wife on a long-awaited vacation to Malaysia, a destination they had dreamed of but postponed due to financial constraints. “She has been my biggest support. It’s time to give her something back,” he said.
The Big Ticket lottery, based in Abu Dhabi, is one of the most prominent and long-running raffle draws in the UAE, attracting thousands of hopefuls from across the region. Its cash prizes range from tens of thousands to multi-million-dirham jackpots, making it a household name among expatriates.
Sarfaraz’s win adds to the growing list of South Asian winners, particularly Pakistanis and Indians, who have historically formed a significant portion of Big Ticket participants. Lottery officials congratulated Sarfaraz and encouraged others to keep participating with hope and consistency.
This heartwarming win comes at a time when economic pressures continue to challenge low- and middle-income expatriates in the Gulf region. For many, the Big Ticket represents more than just a game of luck — it is a beacon of hope.
The next Big Ticket draw is scheduled for early August, with an even larger jackpot on offer, keeping dreams alive for thousands across the UAE.
