Srinagar, June 30: A young professional from north Kashmir’s Sopore has been appointed Vice President at DAMAC Properties, one of the Gulf’s leading luxury real estate developers, marking one of the most significant corporate climbs by a Kashmiri in the Middle East in recent years.
Ishfaq Lone, a native of Heb Dangerpora in Sopore, took charge earlier this year at the Dubai-based giant known for its high-profile projects and celebrity-endorsed campaigns. His journey from the narrow streets of his hometown to the executive suites of the Gulf corporate world has become a talking point in a region starved of professional success stories.
“Where you are born is a footnote — your ambition is the entire chapter,” Lone told Kashmir Convener in an exclusive interview.
He said, “I began my career in India’s domestic real estate sector, where I worked across both affordable housing and premium luxury segments. My consistency in handling stakeholders and delivering results caught the attention of Middle Eastern recruiters scouting for talent familiar with high-stakes, high-volume transactions.”
“At DAMAC, I am overseeing marketing strategies that blend artificial intelligence and data analytics with traditional business values,” he said. “I remain wary of over-reliance on technology in a market built on personal ties.”
“Algorithms can crunch numbers, but they cannot close a deal with a handshake. The Gulf market runs on relationships — you can automate a campaign, but you cannot automate trust,” he added.
Lone, who has managed multicultural teams across geographies, advocates for identifying and nurturing young talent from adversity-hit regions. He believes such backgrounds build resilience and sharp business instincts that elite institutions often fail to cultivate.
“Organisations should look for raw diamonds and polish them. The investment always pays back,” he said.
For young Kashmiris staring at a future of uncertainty, Lone said: “Do not confuse your starting point with your destination. Business is a level playing field if you bring two things — relentless hard work and an appetite for lifelong learning. There are no shortcuts. There is no geography tax on success.”
Despite his new address in Dubai, Lone insisted his identity remained rooted in the Valley.
“I may have changed my office address, but my roots are still in Sopore. The valley taught me resilience. Dubai taught me scale. Both are indispensable,” he said.
His rise, he believes, proves that ambition backed by discipline and strategic thinking knows no borders — and that talent from even the most unlikely corners can find its place on the global stage.
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