When Muhammad Abu Bakar Imtiaz arrived in Dubai in 2014, he was a 26-year-old with no privileges, no capital and a small farming background from Punjab, Pakistan. At the time, his only goals were stability, income and a chance to build a future beyond limited rural opportunity. Today, Abu Bakar leads eight companies spanning real estate, facilities services, contracting, marketing and more, showcasing an extraordinary entrepreneurial transformation.
His father was a government schoolteacher, and Abu Bakar grew up helping run their small family farm. He chose Dubai because it promised safety, stability and support for business — essential conditions for someone starting with nothing. “Here, the system works,” he told Gulf News. “Salaries are paid on time. Laws protect both employees and employers.”
His Dubai journey began at the bottom. With limited funds to obtain a UAE driving licence, he took a job as a building cleaner. Just three months later, a contact placed him as an office assistant on Sheikh Zayed Road. Though the work involved simple tasks like opening the office and serving tea, it dropped him straight into a professional environment and opened doors.
Soon, Abu Bakar’s dedication caught attention. He was asked to collect property inventory in Sonapur and Al Muhaisnah — a task that pushed him into real estate sales. After persistent effort and a major early success when he closed the largest deal his company had seen so far, he knew he belonged in the industry.
In October 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Abu Bakar launched his own firm, Inspire Properties Management. Early pressures were intense. Revenue plunged, costs stayed high and the firm posted a Dh400,000 loss in 2021. Instead of giving up, he negotiated with property owners and asked for time rather than concessions. He promised to pay in full, and eight months later the debt was wiped clean — a decisive moment that reset his trajectory.
As Inspire Properties grew across Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman, Abu Bakar expanded vertically into brokerage, technical services, facilities management, contracting, marketing, tax advisory, document clearing and even tourism. His businesses collectively employ more than 25 professionals and serve corporate clients such as Emaar, ENOC, RTA and Amlak.
People remain at the heart of Abu Bakar’s success. His first employee is now his business partner, and early team members hold equity across his enterprises. “If someone stood with me when I had nothing, they deserve to grow with me,” he says.
Abu Bakar credits Dubai’s business ecosystem and leadership vision for giving him room to grow. “Challenges never stop,” he says. “But if you stay focused and honest, this place gives you room to build.”
