Pakistonomy: Recent Episodes
Tabadlab
Pakistan's first podcast focused on the country's economy, simplifying the complex relationships between paisa, politics and the public.
Presented by Tabadlab.
In this episode, Uzair talks to Ali Khizar about the ongoing dynamics in Pakistan's foreign exchange market, why the rupee is overvalued, and how interest rate cuts without depreciation of the currency would be a bad idea.You can read Ali's recent piece on this topic here: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40396210
In this episode, Uzair talks to Anna Twum about Pakistan’s export potential, how import tariffs hurt the export economy, and the ways in which Pakistan’s $60bn export potential can be met.Anna Twum is an economist at the World Bank and recently helped write the Pakistan Economic Update published by the World Bank. You can read the full report here: https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/972c49ee47cc09d4face97b09ea64362-0310012025/original/Pakistan-Development-Update-Staying-the-Course-for-Growth-and-Jobs-October-2025.pdfChapters:0:00 Introduction2:15 Why are exports low?17:30 Import taxes and exports33:20 Energy reforms41:30 FDI for exports
In this episode, Uzair talks to Zeeshan Khattak, Commissioner at the Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) about the deepening of financial markets in Pakistan and the ways in which the SECP is trying to expand access to finance at the individual and corporate level.Mr. Zeeshan Rehman Khattak joined the SECP as Commissioner in November 2024. He has over two decades of local and international experience in Real Estate Investment & Management, Regulatory Affairs, Wealth Management, and Development of Export-led Technology Infrastructure. Mr. Khattak brings rich experience in capital markets, regulatory oversight and assets’ management. Mr. Khattak’s most recent association was with Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) as Chief Commercial Officer and additionally as Chief Executive Officer designate.Chapters:0:00 Introduction2:20 SECP’s priorities11:25 Savings via digital gold14:20 Regulatory sandboxes25:05 Focus on startups27:30 Climate finance
In this episode, Uzair Younus sits down with Kamran Bokhari to unpack the implications of the landmark Mutual Defence Agreement recently signed between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. With both nations pledging that “any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both,” the agreement marks a significant moment in bilateral military cooperation. Uzair and Kamran explore what motivated this pact, including the evolving regional security dynamics—particularly rising tensions from recent events in the Gulf—and what this means for both countries’ sovereignty, deterrence capabilities, and diplomatic posturing.
In this episode, Uzair talks to Ashish Pradhan about the revolution in Nepal and what comes next for the country. We focused on the underlying factors that led to the outburst of protests across the country, how the royalists tried to capture power, and what the priorities of the new interim prime minister are. We also talked about the role of foreign powers in the country, especially India and China.Ashish Pradhan is Senior Adviser to the President at International Crisis Group where he supports the president's highest priorities and helps execute special projects aligning with the organisation's strategic goals. Prior to this role, Ashish served as Crisis Group's Senior UN Analyst and represented the organization at the United Nations. He previously served as Crisis Group's Nepal expert, conducting research on the post-conflict peace process. Chapters:0:00 Introduction2:00 Structural issues in Nepal14:30 Social media ban22:30 Violence, army, and royalists31:10 Sushila Karki’s priorities38:30 Elections and Gen-Z45:00 Role of India and China
In this episode, Uzair talks to Khurram Husain about the ongoing economic situation in Pakistan where the foreign currency market is under strain. We discuss what is driving this shift, and how “over-extraction” is the policy focus right now in the country. We also spoke about protests in the region and what they tell us about the role of economic discontent and the limits of repression in socieities.You can read Khurram’s latest columns here:https://www.dawn.com/news/1939561/extracting-dollarshttps://www.dawn.com/news/1941112/three-years-three-uprisings Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:50 Over-extraction and dollars17:20 Why fix the dollar rate24:10 Protests and regime collapse36:00 Lessons for Pakistan
Uzair talks to Pranay Kotasthane about the growing tensions in U.S.–India economic relations and the difficult road ahead for deeper trade integration. We discuss what went wrong in the bilateral relationship after the high-profile Trump Modi summit, the domestic political constraints that make agricultural and dairy sector reforms difficult in India, and why India’s reliance on fiscal incentives like PLI may not be the silver bullet for manufacturing growth. We also explore whether India’s decision to stay out of RCEP was a strategic misstep, and what it would take for the country to meaningfully integrate into global supply chains. Finally, we reflect on the broader trajectory of the U.S.–India partnership and what both sides need to do to steady the course.Pranay Kotasthane is deputy director of the Takshashila Institution, where he chairs the High Tech Geopolitics Programme. He co writes Anticipating the Unintended, a newsletter on public policy, and co hosts Puliyabaazi, a popular Hindi Urdu podcast on politics, policy, and technology.You can read Pranay’s newsletter here - https://publicpolicy.substack.com/p/315-beyond-the-hypeReading Recommendations1.Deborah A. Stone — Policy Paradox: The Art of Political Decision Making 2.Rutger Bregman — Humankind: A HopefulChapters:0:00 Introduction2:45 State of US-India relations14:30 India’s Evolving foreign policy24:10 Supporting Indian businesses31:40 Agriculture reforms and protectionism39:00 RCEP and its impact48:40 Reading recommendations
Uzair talks to Dr. Irfan Nooruddin about the growing volatility in U.S.–India relations under President Trump. We discuss the impact of the 25% tariff imposed on Indian goods, the administration’s criticism of India’s oil trade with Russia, and the challenges around H-1B visas and illegal immigration. We also talk about the political constraints facing Prime Minister Modi in Delhi and what all this means for the future of the bilateral relationship.Dr. Irfan Nooruddin is the Hamad bin Khalifa Professor of Indian Politics at Georgetown University. He is the author of The Everyday Crusade, Elections in Hard Times, and Coalition Politics and Economic Development. His work focuses on democratization, international political economy, and policymaking in the Global South.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:20 State of play in the relationship8:30 MAGA’s view of India23:15 Indian right wing’s bet on Trump 2.0 30:50 What can India do to make a deal with Trump?42:40 Impact of Operation Sindoor on US-India ties
Uzair talks to Dr. Neda Bolourchi about the recent Israel-Iran-US conflict and its key takeaways. We also talked about whether the Iranian government is secure, the chances of diplomacy working, and Iran’s future role in the Middle East.Dr. Neda Bolourchi is an interdisciplinary Middle East scholar and Associate Director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Rutgers-New Brunswick. Her work includes international and comparative human rights legal analysis and foreign policy studies.Chapters:0:00 Introduction3:00 Key takeaways16:50 Is the Iranian regime secure?24:45 Understand regime politics31:05 Iran’s future in the Middle East38:15 Reading recommendationsBook Recommendations:- Total Defense: The New Deal and the Invention of National Security by Andrew Preston- Opera as Drama by Joseph Kerman- Boom Town: The Fantastical Saga of Oklahoma City, Its Chaotic Founding... Its Purloined Basketball Team, and the Dream of Becoming a World-class Metropolis by Sam Anderson
In this episode, Uzair talks to Khurram Husain about the 2025 budget and what the government got wrong. We also talked about Pakistan’s ability to extract geopolitical rents and how this stunts the reform agenda in the country.You can read Khurram’s latest column on the budget here - https://www.dawn.com/news/1916673/thrashing-around Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:45 Budget assessment11:10 Solar power access20:20 Geopolitical rents and Pakistan38:40 Conclusion
Uzair talks to Dr. Kamran Bokhari about what the Trump Administration and his MAGA movement wants to achieve in the foreign policy and geopolitical realms. This is an area where there is still a lot of misconceptions about what Trump wants and the goals of his movement. Dr. Bokhari breaks down his assessment of the White House’s goals from Europe and the Middle East to China.Finally, Dr. Bokhari also shares what he has picked up from the conversation in Washington about the recent India-Pakistan war.Dr. Kamran Bokhari is the Senior Director of the Eurasian Security and Prosperity portfolio at the New Lines Institute. He served as Director of the Analytical Development Department from 2019 to 2023. Dr. Bokhari is also a national security and foreign policy specialist at the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute. Some of the recent pieces of analyses he has written are worth a read:-https://geopoliticalfutures.com/what-the-latest-india-pakistan-conflict-means-for-the-us/-https://geopoliticalfutures.com/pakistans-crucial-role-in-chinas-military-strategy/-https://geopoliticalfutures.com/postwar-security-in-gaza/-https://geopoliticalfutures.com/a-new-reality-in-the-india-pakistan-conflict/Chapters:0:00 Introduction2:20 What does Trump want?10:30 Evolving situation in Europe20:18 Russia-China nexus26:50 Israel, Iran, and the Middle East43:30 Dealing with a rising China54:40 Washington’s view on India-Pak War
Uzair talks to Dr. Sahar Khan about her key takeaways from the recent India-Pakistan war and why this conflict was an inflection point. We also talked about the role of international diplomacy, particularly the United States. Finally, the conversation also looked at what could happen in the next crisis, and the ways in which better engagement could avert total disaster.Dr. Sahar Khan is an independent analyst and an expert on South Asian regional dynamics and strategic stability. She is based in Washington, DC.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:50 Key takeaways from the war27:50 Role of diplomacy and the US37:30 What happens in the next crisis?51:45 Reading recommendationsYou can access Dr. Khan’s recent commentary here:-https://inkstickmedia.com/the-myths-that-keep-india-and-pakistan-at-war/-https://theworld.org/segments/2025/05/22/surge-in-popularity-for-pakistani-military-https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3310688/rapid-escalation-india-pakistan-clashes-warning-new-tech-dangers
Uzair talks to Colonel Ajai Shukla (retired) about the fallout of the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir. We spoke about the state of the insurgency in the region, how their tactics and strategies are evolving, and what can be done to improve security. In addition, we also touched on the prospects of a India-Pakistan war and potential off ramps that could be available for either side to take.Colonel Ajai Shukla (Retired) is a columnist and freelance journalist. He writes on strategic affairs, defence policy, military technology and the defence economy. He has written extensively for Business Standard, a pan-India daily; and for The New York Times, Guardian, BBC, Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post. He hosts a defence affairs blog, Broadsword (ajaishukla.com), which is visited daily by over 5,000 readers from across the world.Chapters:0:00 Introduction2:00 Normalcy in Kashmir6:00 Evolution of tactics11:40 Intelligence failures and counterinsurgency19:20 Evidence about links to Pakistan25:30 India-Pakistan tensions31:10 General Munir’s strategy35:10 Conclusion
Uzair talks to Dr. Hassan Abbas about the ongoing standoff between India and Pakistan following the recent terror attack in Kashmir. We talked about what options are on the table for both sides, the role of the United States, and why engagement and negotiations are the only path forward for both countries.Dr. Hassan Abbas is Distinguished Professor of International Relations at the Near East South Asia Strategic Studies Centre (NESA), National Defense University in Washington DC. He serves as a senior advisor at Project on Shi’ism and Global Affairs at Harvard University’s Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, and his current research work focuses on building narratives for countering political and religious extremism & rule of law reforms in developing states.Chapters:0:00 Introduction2:30 Backdrop of the terror attack14:20 Allegations and evidence18:50 Narratives and media25:10 Commitment traps29:40 US response so far36:30 Misreading the other side
Uzair talks to Muhammad Faisal about the fallout from the recent terror attack in Kashmir and the options both India and Pakistan have moving forward. We talk about the nuclear stability risks in the region as well as potential off-ramps that can help deescalate the situation.Muhammad Faisal is a Research Fellow at the University of Technology in Sydney and an expert in strategic stability and India-Pakistan relations.Chapters:0:00 Introduction2:30 What led to this crisis?15:40 Options for both sides33:30 Off ramps and deescalation
In this episode, Uzair talks to Adil Husain about his perspective on how AI is going to disrupt the labor market and create new opportunities for young talent in markets like Pakistan. Adil is an entrepreneur and strategist based in Washington.You can read his full piece here - https://adilhusain.substack.com/p/the-real-ai-threat-is-a-27-year-oldIf you want to get in touch with Adil, message him on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adilhusain
In this episode, Uzair talk to Abdul Moiz Jaferii about the frivolous cases against journalist Farhan Mallick, who was arrested during Ramzan and given bail after Eid. We discussed the ways in which a process was used to deliver punishment against him, and how the state of Pakistan is moving towards criminalizing thought in the country.Abdul Moiz Jaferii was part of the legal team that is continuing to represent Mr. Mallick in his ongoing cases.
Uzair talks to Zahid Husain about the worsening security situation in Balochistan, which has led the army chief to assert that Pakistan must become a “hard state.” We discussed what can be defined as a hard state, and also try to understand the reasons for why Zahid Husain calls Pakistan a “predator state.”Zahid Husain is an author and journalist who writes a weekly column for Dawn. You can read his latest column titled “A Predator State” here: https://www.dawn.com/news/1900408Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:40 What is a predator state?15:10 The state’s colonial mindset24:10 Difference in KPK and Balochistan33:50 Anti-military sentiment in Punjab38:10 Evolving views on military intervention
Uzair talks to Adil Mansoor about the state of Pakistan’s agriculture sector and the outlook for the year. We focused on the wheat and sugar markets, whether deregulation is here to stay, and the ways in which farmers have dealt with collapsing wheat prices.Adil Mansoor is an agriculture analyst and writes for Business Recorder Research.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:40 Water shortages4:10 Wheat outlook18:00 Food inflation coming back?24:20 Sugar prices36:50 Storage and supply chain issues42:00 Market reforms
Uzair talks to Arifa Noor about the mood in Islamabad after the Jaffer Express terror attack in Balochistan. We discussed the failures of Pakistan’s Balochistan policy, why political elites have continued to cede space to the military on key topics, and the decline in parliament’s standing over the years.Arifa Noor is a journalist at Dawn and host of the TV show Newswise.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:50 Jaffer Express fallout13:10 PPP pushes back against canal projects23:10 PTI and an opposition alliance31:30 Media blackouts and conspiracy theories
This episode focuses on the ongoing and worsening crisis in Balochistan, where militancy is rising and the political process shows no signs of improving. Rafiullah Kakar joins Uzair to explain what is going on in the province, the root causes of the insurgency, and why a number of political problems have added fuel to the burning fire in Balochistan.Finally, Rafiullah also discusses his research on the structural and constitutional drivers of the core political economy issues in the province, with the conversation concluding on what can be done to alleviate the crisis in Balochistan.Rafiullah Kakar is a policy analyst currently pursuing a PhD at Cambridge University, where he is seeking to understand the political economy of sub-national state capacity through a comparative study of education policy in two Pakistani provinces: Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.You can read Rafiullah Kakar’s paper that was discussed on the podcast here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14662043.2024.2382458 Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:50 Worsening militancy in Balochistan17:10 Engaging with young political leaders25:50 India’s role in the insurgency32:20 Is the status quo secure?36:10 Structural drivers of the issues47:20 Devolution of power56:00 Competition in politics
This episode focuses on the latest developments in Pakistan’s startup and innovation ecosystem Uzair talks to Sarah Munir about the latest findings from invest2innovate’s 2024 Startup Ecosystem Report.Sarah is CEO at invest2innovate and has over 15 years of experience in driving impact and fueling growth. invest2innovate supports startup communities in growth markets and has been working in Pakistan since 2011. You can read the full report here - https://invest2innovate.com/ecosystem-reports/Chapters:0:00 Introduction3:50 Key findings and learnings11:30 Learnings for young entrepreneurs14:30 Learning for investors17:20 Policy and regulatory issues23:10 Cultural shifts around entrepreneurship27:10 Critical thinking and innovation30:00 Opportunities for growth33:30 Going beyond maturity37:08 Reading recommendationsReading Recommendations:-Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain-Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight-Alibaba: The House That Jack Ma Built by Duncan Clark-Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Qamar Cheema about Pakistan’s foreign policy priorities, including relations with Afghanistan and the United States. We also talked about whether Donald Trump will intervene in Pakistan’s affairs to help release Imran Khan.Dr. Qamar Cheema is Executive Director of the Sanober Institute, a think tank based in Islamabad.Chapters:0:00 Introduction2:00 Afghanistan relations18:20 Trump releasing Khan?26:10 Pakistan-Iran relations31:05 Erdogan’s trip to Pakistan37:20 Chinese disappointment
In this episode, Uzair talks to Khurram Husain about the PML-N government’s economic performance over the last year. We talked about how IMF stabilization is the easy part, why generating growth risks creating the same problems for the country, and the ways in which business interest groups are advocating for a return to past policies.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:20 Performance review8:10 Reasons for lack of reforms20:30 Stabilization a big achievement?29:40 SBP’s role in killing inflation
In this episode, Uzair talks to Amir Husain about DeepSeek’s innovations in the world of artificial intelligence, which has been described as a “Sputnik Moment” by many in the technology world. We also talked about how DeepSeek achieved these innovations and what they tell us about China’s innovation ecosystem. Finally, Amir shares his view on export controls on cutting-edge technology and whether it helps achieve U.S. national security goals.Amir Husain is a serial entrepreneur, veteran AI technologist, and author based in Austin, Texas. He has received widespread acclaim for his pioneering work, including Austin’s Top Entrepreneur award and inclusion in Austin’s 40 Under 40. In 2013, Amir founded SparkCognition, now Avathon. Under Amir’s leadership, the company achieved a unicorn valuation, marking a significant milestone in its journey. As the Founder and Executive Board Member of this award-winning AI company, Amir led the firm as CEO from its inception until the end of 2023.Amir has been awarded over 30 patents in AI and distributed systems. He serves on UT Austin’s Computer Science Board, NATO’s Innovation Advisory Board and the Board of Global Venture Bridge, fostering international entrepreneurial collaboration. He is the author of the best-selling book “The Sentient Machine,” a co-author of “Hyperwar: Conflict and Competition in the AI Century”, and has recently published “Generative Art”, “Generative AI for Leaders” and “Serious Machines.”Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:10 What did DeepSeek achieve?19:20 US-China Chip Wars and Export Controls33:10 Sputnik Moment and Choices for America
In this episode, Uzair talks to Ankur Bhardwaj about India’s economic slowdown and its root causes. We also talked about what options the government has to stimulate growth through the budget, and the reasons why the Indian Rupee has been weakening in recent weeks. Finally, we touched on major structural reforms that are needed in India and whether the Modi-led BJP government can push them through.Ankur Bhardwaj is Web Editor at Business Standard.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:30 Slowing growth in India10:10 Navigating the budget cycle14:50 Reform priorities19:20 Promoting exports23:30 Navigating the politics of reforms26:50 Risks in the near-term
In this episode Uzair talks to Ali Nazari about the current state of affairs in Afghanistan, the status of the resistance against the Taliban, and the ways in which the Taliban are allowing transnational terrorism to occur from Afghanistan. Ali Nazari is Head of Foreign Relations for the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRF). Ali began his career in communications at Khorasan TV, hosting a weekly show on politics and current affairs in Afghanistan. He then was Director of Media Affairs for Abdullah Abdullah's 2014 presidential campaign. As tensions between the Taliban and the government grew amidst the drawdown of NATO forces from Afghanistan, Nazary served as a chief foreign policy advisor and a liaison between Ahmad Massoud and foreign diplomats up until his departure from Kabul a few days after August 15, 2021. Since then, Nazary has served as Head of Foreign Relations for the NRF.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:50 The NRF and state of play in Afghanistan6:50 Life under the Taliban12:40 Pakistan’s bet on the Taliban17:40 How can Pakistan change its Afghanistan policy?24:30 Regional strategy29:50 NRF and Pakistan relations38:40 Expectations from Trump administration43:40 Reading recommendationsReading recommendations:-In the Name of my Father: Struggling for Freedom in Afghanistan by Ahmad Massoud -Afghanistan: A History from 1260 to the Present by Jonathan L. Lee-Pakistan-Afghanistan Relations: Pitfalls and the Way Forward edited by Huma Baqai and Nausheen Wasi
In this episode, Uzair talks to Sardar Awais Leghari, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division), about the recently announced incentives for electric vehicle charging in Pakistan because of which tariffs will be cut by almost 45 percent. We spoke about why this announcement was made and what impact Minister Leghari anticipates as an outcome of these policy incentives.We also spoke about near-term reform priorities in the power sector for 2025 and the minister’s views on uniform and competitive pricing for electricity in Pakistan.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:39 EV charging incentives8:20 Solar net metering16:20 Reform priorities for 202520:50 Competitive pricing
In this episode, Uzair talks to Amb. Asif Durrani about the state of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations and why they have soured. Amb. Durrani is the former special representative to Afghanistan and Senior Research Fellow at the Islamabad Policy Research Institute. You can read his recent article here - https://stratheia.com/choose-between-pakistan-or-ttp/
In this episode, Uzair talks to Khurram Husain about what 2024 was like for Pakistan’s economy and the outlook for 2025. We discussed how stability was restored on the economic fronts, its associated costs, and why no real reform has happened so far under the current setup.Chapters:0:00 Introduction0:58 Stability restored7:10 Finance minister’s performance16:47 Investor confidence in Pakistan23:20 Outlook for 2025
In this episode, Uzair talks Junaid Iqbal about his experience on Shark Tank Pakistan and the businesses that have excited him the most. We talked about valuations for businesses, the talent in the country, and the role Shark Tank can play in exciting next-generation talent in the country to be entrepreneurs.We also talked about Junaid’s project @Pakistan&Counting, which is making excellent and nuanced content on business and economic topics.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:24 Shark Tank experience9:45 Valuations for businesses17:08 Pakistan & Counting24:00 Pakistan’s power crisis and opportunity38:45 Doing the right things in the economy53:18 ConclusionLinks:-https://www.youtube.com/@PakistanAndCounting-https://youtu.be/rGioFk29o4U?si=yiIX43KfEZ9YTfZL-https://youtu.be/_IhB6LkQXLU?si=MQk6N_QNbRr8ezv9-https://youtu.be/5KX1uNFsvks?si=rdKmQJLGUQ5DkClY
In this episode, Uzair talks to Zaigham Khan about PTI’s final call protest which ended in failure on November 26. We talked about the reasons for this failure, the current regime’s own weaknesses, and why the PTI and Imran Khan ought to reconsider their strategy.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:20 Politics of dharna9:30 Failure of coalition building14:40 Why didn’t people come out?23:08 PTI’s mistakes32:47 Establishment’s weaknesses39:20 General Munir’s strengths45:02 ConclusionRecommendations:Imran Khan’s interview where he accepts using the ISI: https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/news/transcripts/read-imran-khans-full-atlantic-council-interview-on-failed-peace-with-india-pakistans-plight-and-his-own-fate/Imran Ismail’s podcast with Kamran Khan: https://youtu.be/cYdfWto0Cqc
In this episode, Uzair talks to Sunil Dahiya about the air pollution crisis in India and its key causes. We talked about what is being done to resolve this issue, why public pressure has not materialized in a big way, and how this current season marks an inflection point.Sunil is founder of Envirocatalysts and has been conducting research and advocacy on air pollution and environmental improvements for years.Chapters:0:00 Introduction2:20 Causes of the crisis12:10 Vehicle testing and controls18:20 Public pressure30:10 What needs to happen41:00 Reading recommendations43:30 ConclusionReading recommendations:-Choked by Beth Garner-Breathless by Jennifer Niven-Under the Dome (Documentary on YouTube)
In this episode, Uzair talks to Mishal S. Khan about the ways in which doctors are incentivized to over-prescribe medications to patients in Pakistan. This is something many of us have known about anecdotally, but now we have research to tell us about how widespread this problem could be.Mishal S. Khan is a Professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in the UK and Visiting Faculty at Aga Khan University, Pakistan.Guest’s profile link - https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/aboutus/people/khan.mishal-sMore details about the study - https://www.patientsnotprofits.org Chapters:0:00 Introduction2:00 Key findings6:50 Does ethics training help?11:30 Local v. international companies14:40 Methodology18:10 Pressure by patients21:00 Policy recommendations24:50 What can individuals do?28:39 Reading recommendationsReading recommendations:-Why we sleep by Matthew Walker-Poems by Faiz
Pakistan’s cities are choking on smog, with the cities in Punjab including Lahore being the worst impacted. In this episode, Uzair talks to Abid Omar about what is causing this air pollution crisis in the country and what can be done about it.Abid Omar is the founder of the Pakistan Air Quality Initiative, which provides community-driven air quality data and resources to increase social awareness.Chapters:0:00 Introduction2:30 What is going on?12:10 Transportation’s impact26:20 Things that can be done to solve the crisis42:50 Do we need more data?Reading recommendations:-Factfulness by Hans Rosling-The Economics of Air Pollution in China by Ma Jun-A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth
Uzair talks to Shadi Hamid on the US elections and the difficult choice American-Muslims are having to make in this cycle given the choices on offer. Shadi shared his own thoughts on how the Biden administration utterly failed when it comes to stopping the ongoing orgy of violence in Gaza. We also talk about why Kamala Harris has failed to engage with the community during the campaign, and the threat Trump represents to both Arab and Muslim lives at home and abroad.Shadi Hamid is a columnist at the Washington Post and author of the book The problem of democracy: America, the Middle East, and the rise and fall of an idea. He also co-hosts the podcast The Wisdom of Crowds.Episode Links:-https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/shadi-hamid/-https://www.amazon.com/Problem-Democracy-America-Middle-East/dp/0197579469-https://wisdomofcrowds.live/podcastChapters:0:00 Introduction3:00 Is this an inflection point for Muslim-Americans?11:28 Democrats v. Republicans18:10 Why do people think Trump is better?24:50 Democrat’s failure to engage32:45 US policy on democracy40:15 Nuance and politics44:25 Engaging on foreign policy50:29 ConclusionReading recommendations:-Light Years by James Salter-The Study Quran
Uzair talks to Nayyera Haq about the upcoming U.S. elections and what it means for the country, especially for immigrants and members of the American-Pakistani diaspora. We talked about the recent endorsement by PAKPAC for Donald Trump, the impact of the war in Gaza on voters, and scenarios for election night.Nayyera Haq is a seasoned communications strategist, speaker, and former White House Senior Director and diplomat known for her expertise in helping leaders communicate powerfully and authentically. As a respected political commentator, she regularly appears on outlets like CNN and MSNBC discussing global affairs, culture, and policy. Nayyera also hosts of the TrailBlaze podcast and talk radio on SiriusXM, where she amplifies diverse perspectives and thought leadership. With her dynamic career at the intersection of journalism and communication, Nayyera is a trusted voice in shaping public narratives. Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:45 Pakistanis supporting Trump13:55 Muslim-Americans and Gaza25:50 State of the political race33:10 Countering Trump rigging allegations37:35 Future of the Republicans45:15 Future of the Democrats51:45 Elections and foreign policy
In this episode, Uzair has a broad conversation with Fasi Zaka about whats going on in Pakistan with the recent student protests, the constitutional amendments, and the state of the broader information ecosystem. We also talked about two of the weirdest amendments being discussed as part of the proposed constitutional amendments and what they mean for Pakistan.Fasi Zaka is a Pakistani political commentator, columnist, radio talk show host, and television anchor.Chapters:0:00 Introduction3:20 What’s going on in the PTI?19:20 Rape allegations and protests31:20 Media ecosystem and regulations52:01 Pakistani diaspora supports Trump?1:00:10 Gaza and the media1:06:15 Constitutional amendments
Political tensions continue to brew in Pakistan, with the Sharif government facing issues both in Islamabad and in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. In this episode, Uzair talks to Arifa Noor about the latest political developments in Pakistan. Arifa Noor is a journalist with Dawn and host of the shows Newswise. We covered what going on with the announcement to ban and then un-ban the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM), why the Tehreek-e-Insaf is facing challenges in achieving its goals via protests, and the reasons for the PML-N’s growing confidence in the economy.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:30 PTM ban21:20 PTI protests and its impact28:10 Centers of power in Pakistan36:53 Economic stability and PML-N’s confidence51:25 Bilawal’s role in constitutional amendment
The world seems like it is staring into the abyss, with conflicts breaking out across Eurasia. Does this mean that we are entering a new global conflict where the three great powers – the United States, Russia, and China – are entering into direct conflict? What role are smaller powers such as Israel and Iran, playing in all of this? And what do the political systems in the great powers tell us about what comes next?These are the big questions that Dr. Kamran Bokhari tries to answer in this conversation. Dr. Kamran Bokhari is the Senior Director of the Eurasian Security and Prosperity portfolio at the New Lines Institute. He served as Director of the Analytical Development Department from 2019 to 2023. Dr. Bokhari is also a national security and foreign policy specialist at the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute.Some of the recent pieces of analyses he has written are worth a read:-https://newlinesinstitute.org/political-systems/post-khamenei-iran-the-future-of-evolutionary-regime-change/-https://geopoliticalfutures.com/irans-regional-position-is-crumbling/-https://geopoliticalfutures.com/southwest-asias-shatter-belt/Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:45 Are we in a third world war?13:10 Evolution of warfare22:10 Role of smaller powers31:30 Critiquing the Washington Beltway consensus43:30 Assessing China and Russia59:02 Future scenarios1:15:30 US elections and foreign policy
In this episode, Uzair talks Khurram Husain about the recent agreement between Pakistan and the IMF, which has secured a 3-year $7 billion programme. We talked about what comes next for the economy and why the hard work is only just beginning.In addition, we focused on Pakistan’s debt sustainability, with Khurram sharing his perspective on why restructuring debt is perhaps not the right path for the country at this point in time.The articles we referred to in our conversation are linked below:-https://www.dawn.com/news/1859741/shaky-stability-https://www.dawn.com/news/1861209/and-audits-for-all-https://www.economist.com/by-invitation/2024/08/28/break-the-taboos-propping-up-unsustainable-debt-pleads-a-former-central-banker-https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/pakistan-needs-public-debt-restructuring-by-sanjay-kathuria-1-2024-09 Chapters:0:00 Introduction0:45 Debt restructuring for Pakistan13:16 IMF agreement and its implications22:55 Petrol prices and relief29:10 Politics and the current status quo36:25 Conclusion
In this episode, Uzair talks to Salahuddin Ahmed about the ongoing moves to amend Pakistan’s constitution and its drivers. We focused on the role of the Supreme Court, why the government is pushing through a new ordinance to change the court’s procedures, and the impact of political polarization on the superior judiciary.We also talked about why these proposed changes matter to ordinary citizens, and the outlook for Pakistan’s democracy.Salahuddin Ahmed is a lawyer and former president of the Sindh High Court Bar Association. He recently wrote a must-read piece on these proposed amendments which you can read here - https://www.dawn.com/news/1859376/constitutional-package-judicial-overhaul-or-national-suicideChapters:0:00 Introduction2:10 Ordinance issued by government19:10 What does the government want to achieve?31:00 Politics and judiciary36:50 Patronage and the courts42:05 Why should citizens care?56:30 Paving the way for authoritarian rule
Pakistan’s parliament has historically been one of the weakest institutions in the country, but even by those standards, events that transpired over this past week have set a new low. Masked men entered parliament and took away numerous PTI legislators, who were subsequently arrested by the police. This has caused an uproar across the country, with the PTI leading the charge in terms of talking about the sustained and accelerating decimation of the rule of law and democracy in the country.In this episode, Uzair talks to Salman Akram Raja about what happened in parliament and what comes next. Mr. Raja is Secretary General of the PTI and a senior supreme court lawyer. We also talked about coalition building and how the PTI intends to reach out to other groups who have been protesting against similar violations for years.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:45 What happened in parliament?8:30 Ways to strengthen parliament13:50 Situation in the judiciary20:45 What is the PTI’s overall engagement strategy?26:10 Gandapur, divisions, and coalition building31:40 PTI’s outreach to PTM and others
In this episode, Uzair talks to Tabarak Rehman who is attempting to become the first person ever to run 1,400 kilometers across the length of Pakistan to raise awareness around the country’s education crisis. His goal is to raise $1 million for The Citizens Foundation, an incredible non-profit that operates nearly 2,000 schools in Pakistan.Tabarak is a New York-based Turnaround & Restructuring Consultant at AlixPartners, who’s also super passionate about educating Pakistani students. Through his social media, he has guided hundreds of Pakistani students toward higher education in the U.S., even helping secure over a million dollars in student loans for at least 30 of them. His academic journey started from his boarding high school, Cadet College Hasan Abdal after which he went to IBA Karachi for his undergrad and then Northeastern University in Boston, where he earned his Master's degree. He also holds a CFA Charter.You can support Tabarak’s cause here - https://fundraise.tcfglobal.org/fundraiser/384593207740/tabarak-runs-across-pakistan-for-educationFollow Tabarak’s run here - https://www.instagram.com/tabarakruns/Chapters:0:00 Introduction3:20 Tabarak’s journey14:45 Resources for getting an education in the US20:30 Running 1,400 kilometers26:30 Training regimen32:00 How to help38:10 Reading recommendationsReading recommendations:-David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell-The Richest Man in Babylon by George Clason-Built to Last by James C. Collins and Jerry I. Porras
In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Ilhan Niaz about where Pakistan stands today and the nature of the status quo ruling the country. We also talked about the mainstreaming of anti-establishment views and what that means for the politics in the country.Finally, we also talked about modernization and the role of the Protestant Reformation in kick-starting this process in Europe, and whether Pakistan has the core ingredients to modernize.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:30 Independence Day 20244:15 Where did Pakistan go wrong?14:50 Assessing the status quo today21:00 Anti-establishment views in Punjab29:15 Protestant Reformation and modernity39:55 Can Pakistan modernize?51:50 Reading recommendationsReading recommendations- Great State – China and the World by Timothy Brook- Asad Rahim’s essay in Dawn - https://www.dawn.com/news/1852072/the-two-partitions-polemics-purges-and-pakistans-first-opposition-party
In this episode, Uzair talks to Amb. Shamsher Mubin Chowdhury about what led to the collapse of the Hasina regime in Bangladesh and what comes next for the country. We focused on the reasons why younger citizens were angry with the government and reports of violence against Hindus over the last few days. We also discussed whether foreign agencies led to Hasina’s ouster.Amb. Chowdhury is a war hero who took active part in the Bangladesh War of Liberation in 1971. For his bravery and contribution in the battlefield the Government of Bangladesh conferred upon him the gallantry award Bir Bikram. He has also served as a top diplomat for Bangladesh around the world, including as Ambassador of Bangladesh to the United States of America, with concurrent accreditation to Colombia, Brazil and Mexico from 2005 to 2007.Chapters:0:00 Introduction2:20 What just happened?17:40 Claims of foreign involvement29:20 Secularism in Bangladesh40:05 What comes next?
Balochistan’s city of Gwadar has been the center of protests for the last few days. Roads and highways leading into the city have been blocked and countless protestors have been arrested. Uzair talks to Dr. Mahvish Ahmad to figure out what is going on in the province and better understand the underlying reasons for the crisis in Balochistan.Dr. Mahvish Ahmad is an Assistant Professor in Human Rights and Politics. Before joining LSE, she was an A.W. Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow at the Centre for Humanities Research, University of the Western Cape. She completed her PhD in Sociology at Cambridge. Earlier, Mahvish was a journalist covering military and insurgent violence in the Pakistan-Afghanistan region, and co-founded the bilingual Urdu/English magazine Tanqeed with Madiha Tahir. She is currently completing a book on state violence in Pakistan’s southern province of Balochistan.Chapters:0:00 Introduction2:05 What’s going on in the province?7:00 Multiple issues driving protests13:30 Missing persons19:05 Resource extraction25:40 Historical drivers32:55 Baloch protestors v. TLP37:10 Islamabad politics and Balochistan42:05 Evolution of Baloch society51:05 Path forward57:20 Reading recommendationsReading recommendations:-https://loksujag.com/special-edition/bloch-women-long-march-https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/items/dee93c5f-6f5e-43a8-bfd7-e79de8d2d35f-https://caravanmagazine.in/reportage/home-front-changing-insurgency-balochistan-https://www.scribd.com/document/554334646/The-Problem-of-Greater-Balochistan-PDFDrive
In this episode, Uzair talks to Zaigham Khan about the ongoing polycrisis in Pakistan and the path forward. We focused on the structural drivers of this conflict, in particular the breaking down of the post-Zia social contract that has sustained Pakistan’s political economy for decades. Zaigham argues that the PTI’s popularity is a symptom of the underlying breakdown of this social contract and that repression is unlikely to yield any sustainable stability in the country.We also discussed why fundamental reforms of the political economy are needed to even sustain the various elite factions ruling the country today.Zaigham Khan is an anthropologist and political analyst. You can follow him on X @zaighamkhan.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:45 What is causing the crisis?8:50 PTI’s conversion to constitutionalism18:30 Elite conflict in Pakistan28:50 Can same page be sustained?33:45 Why are the elite fighting within?42:10 Breakdown of the status quo46:50 Establishment view on repression56:20 Reading recommendationsReading recommendations-The Alif Laila and other mythological books-Masnavi by Rumi-Political Conflict in Pakistan by Dr. Mohammad Waseem
In this episode, Uzair talks to Faysal Itani about the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. We talked about the current state of play, the strategic goals for both sides, and the role of the United States, Iran, and other powers.Faysal Itani is a Senior Director at the New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy. He is also an adjunct professor of Middle East politics at Georgetown University. Itani was born in and grew up in Beirut, Lebanon, and has lived and worked in several Middle East countries.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:45 Current state of play21:10 Washington’s appetite for regional conflict29:10 Role of US politics and elections33:25 Key risks to watch37:40 Role of China and Russia41:40 Reading recommendationsReading recommendations:-Warriors of God by Nicholas Blanford-The Iron Wall by Avi Shlaim-History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides
In this episode, Uzair talks to Zahid Hussain about the latest in Pakistan, where the Sharif government has announced it will seek to ban Imran Khan’s PTI. This is a dangerous move and Zahid helps us understand why this reflects the ruling regime’s weakness.We also talked about internal politics within the Pakistan Army and why this confrontation is headed in a very dangerous direction for Pakistan.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:45 PTI ban reasons14:05 Surveillance in Pakistan19:20 Supreme Court v. Establishment28:30 Internal politics of the army37:00 What comes next?
In this episode, Uzair talks to Gilles Verniers about the recent French parliamentary election results. With many expecting gridlock in Paris, Gilles helps us understand what the results mean and what comes next for the country.Gilles Verniers is Karl Loewenstein Fellow and Visiting Assistant Professor of Political Science at Amherst College, and Senior Fellow at the Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi. He also holds affiliations with the Centre for Advanced Studies of India at UPenn, and the Centre de Sciences Humaines in New Delhi. His research focuses on Indian electoral and party politics, political representation, women and minorities participation in politics and India’s democratic trajectory. He regularly contributes to various Indian media and was based in Delhi from 2005 to 2023. He graduated from Sciences Po, Paris.You can read his recent pieces on the elections here:-https://m.thewire.in/article/world/france-election-far-right-marine-le-pen-macron-https://thewire.in/world/france-dodges-a-bullet-for-now-but-sinks-in-uncertaintyChapters:0:00 Introduction2:05 Understanding the differences in the groups9:30 The normalization of the far-right20:40 Lack of coalition culture in France30:05 Personalization of acrimony33:01 The left’s agenda and its foreign policy38:20 Reading recommendationsReading recommendations-Cas Mudde, The Far Right Today (2019)-James Shields (2007), The Extreme Right in France: From Pétain to Le Pen
This episode is about assessing Joe Biden’s foreign policy as it relates to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. While not a whole lot has changed in terms of the substance of US policy towards Palestine and Israel, a lot has indeed changed in terms of the political discourse in Washington.Uzair talked to Matt Duss about these developments and the long-term implications of Biden’s foreign policy choices. We also talked about the prospects for a broad agreement with Saudi Arabia, and the ways in which communities can engage at the grassroots levels to influence foreign policy.Matt Duss is Executive Vice-President at the Center for International Policy. The Center for International Policy is a woman-led, progressive, independent nonprofit center for research, education, and advocacy working to advance a more peaceful, just, and sustainable U.S. approach to foreign policy.Before joining CIP, Duss was a visiting scholar in the American Statecraft Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. From 2017-22, Duss was foreign policy advisor to Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt). Duss’s work has been widely published, including in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Foreign Affairs, The Nation, The American Prospect, and Foreign Policy.Chapters:0:00 Introduction2:20 What has changed in Washington?5:20 Role of AIPAC8:40 America’s leverage over Israel12:20 Impact of the presidential debate18:35 Long-term implications of US choices22:10 Saudi-Israel normalization27:10 Key risks on the horizon30:30 What can we do to change policy?32:45 Reading recommendationsReading recommendations-The Price of Peace: Money, Democracy, and the Life of John Maynard Keynes by Zachary D. Carter-Miles: The Autobiography by Miles Davis and Quincy Troupe
There has been a lot of confusion about the recently-announced Azm-e-Istehkam effort, which was initially dubbed as an operation but later revised to be a vision by the Sharif-led government. To talk about what the state is trying to do and to better understand the growing security crisis across Pakistan, Uzair invited Iftikhar Firdous to the podcast. Iftikhar is founder and editor of The Khorasan Diary, an organization that closely follows security issues in the region.We talked about the role of China and the Afghan Taliban in the ongoing crisis, the regional dynamics at play, and why the political division across Pakistan is exacerbating the crisis.If you want to stay on top of these topics, follow Iftikhar at @IftikharFirdous. You should also follow The Khorasan Diary at @khorasandiary and subscribe to their YoutTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/TheKhorasanDiary Chapters:0:00 Introduction2:20 What is Azm-e-Istehkam?14:40 Militancy and illicit economy26:20 No-go areas and growing insecurity40:10 Chinese demands from Pakistan46:02 Relationship with Afghan Taliban53:10 Regional security dynamics at play
Shehbaz Sharif’s government has put forward a new budget for the upcoming fiscal year, setting off a debate on more taxes, government spending, and economic reforms. As parliament debates the budget, some things may change about the exact numbers. But to discuss what has been put on the table, Uzair spoke to Ammar H. Khan about what this budget signals and why it pursues a “deepening” of the tax net, as opposed to a widening.We also talked about the energy sector and why prices are being reduced for industrial consumers of electricity, as well as Ammar’s views on what he calls the heartland strategy.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:30 Budget takeaways7:10 Pension reforms10:30 Power subsidies15:10 Inflation and salaried class20:30 Digitization and taxes26:16 Why are cash handouts criticized?28:05 Electricity tariffs for industry38:40 Heartland strategy and its issues
This year has seen more record-breaking heatwaves across the subcontinent, leading to immense loss of life and economic output. Given climate change, these heatwaves are likely to be the new reality around the world, especially in Pakistan and India. Both these countries face tremendous risks from extreme weather events, especially heatwaves.In this episode, Uzair talks to Kathy Baughman McLeod about heatwaves and how we can be better prepared to deal with them. Kathy Baughman McLeod is CEO of Climate Resilience for All, a gender-focused climate adaptation nonprofit dedicated to the protection of people and livelihoods from extreme heat and all its impacts.Kathy brings a record of executive leadership and impact for public, nonprofit, and private sector institutions including the Arsht-Rockefeller Resilience Center, Bank of America, The Nature Conservancy, and the Office of the State of Florida’s Chief Financial Officer. She was also named by Reuters as one of 20 “Trailblazing Women in Climate for 2024.” Chapters:0:00 Introduction2:00 Understand heatwaves9:50 What are places doing to deal with them19:40 What should policymakers in Pakistan do25:10 Adapting to the new climate36:20 Reading recommendationsReading Recommendations-Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson-The Heat Will Kill You First by Jeff Goodell-All We Can Save by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson
The world’s largest elections are over and they have delivered a surprise in India. While we will get more detailed analysis in the coming days, what is for certain is that the elections mark a return to coalition politics in the world’s largest democracy. Uzair spoke to Rahul Verma about what the results mean for India, Narendra Modi, and the country’s democracy. We also talked about what the BJP and Congress got right, what they are likely to do next, and the role of coalition allies moving forward.Rahul Verma is Fellow at the Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi, and Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science, Ashoka University, Sonipat. He has a PhD in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley. His research interests include political representation, political parties, and voting behaviour. He is a regular columnist for various news platforms, and a regular TV commentator on elections, party politics, voting behavior, and public opinion polls. His book co-authored with Pradeep Chhibber, Ideology and Identity: The Changing Party Systems of India, develops a new approach to defining the contours of what constitutes an ideology in multi-ethnic countries such as India. He recently co-edited a volume with Sudha Pai & Shyam Babu - Dalits in the New Millennium.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:30 Key takeaways from the elections8:30 Has Hindutva reached its peak?21:30 Return of coalition politics29:10 Scope for reforms in a coalition33:50 What to look for in the near-term38:47 Reading recommendationsReading recommendations:-Coalition Politics and Economic Development: Credibility and the Strength of Weak Governments by Irfan Nooruddin-Ideology and Identity: The Changing Party Systems of India by Rahul Verma and Pradeep Chhibber-Raag Darbari by Shrilal Shukla
In this episode, Uzair talks to Abdul Moiz Jaferii about the ongoing cases in Pakistan’s superior judiciary. We focused on the wiretapping case being heard by Justice Babar Sattar, cases related to Imran Khan, and the broader implications of the supposed standoff between the establishment and the judiciary.We also focused on the political ramifications of these cases through the summer and whether Imran Khan will be out of jail in the next few months.Abdul Moiz Jaferii is a lawyer and tweets @jaferiiChapters:0:00 Introduction1:30 The latest at the courts7:30 IHC’s letter to Justice Isa15:00 Illegal wiretapping case33:30 Political ramifications39:00 Will Khan be out soon?
In this episode, Uzair talks to Ali Khizar about the upcoming budget and the ongoing conversations between the IMF and Pakistan. We focused on why this government will only pursue incremental reforms, the issues with the power sector, and why broadening the tax base is unlikely for the time being.Ali Khizar is head of research at Business Recorder and has over 20 years of experience in economic research and business analysis.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:55 IMF’s focus for Pakistan9:30 Taxes in the budget22:50 Cost of energy36:30 Privatization outlook47:20 Political space for reforms
In this episode, Uzair talks to Ali Farid Khwaja about the potential of Saudi investments into Pakistan. We talked about why things were moving slowly, sectors Saudi is interested in, and why it is important for Pakistan to approach these conversations in a more professional manner.Ali Farid Khwaja is Chairman of KTrade Securities and has over a decade of experience in the technology and financial sectors.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:35 Current state of play12:00 What Pakistan needs to get right19:20 Engagement with IMF27:20 What is Saudi seeking from Pakistan?32:30 Risks to watch for38:20 Conclusion
In this episode, Uzair talks to Khurram Husain about the latest decision by the central bank to keep rates unchanged. We talked about why the central bank has a credibility problem and how the IMF is influencing its choices. We also discussed the ongoing conversations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, why it feels different this time around, and the role of geopolitics.Finally, we also discussed the upcoming budget, the finance minister’s priorities, and how he can secure his position in the cabinet.Chapters:0:00 Introduction2:00 Interest rates and the IMF16:20 Saudi Arabia’s interest in Pakistan24:45 Role of geopolitics in Saudi conversations32:18 Budget and reforms outlook39:05 How long will the finance minister last?
Uzair talks to Dr. Ghazala Mansuri about Pakistan’s stunting crisis and its implications for the country’s future. We focused on key causes of stunting, the linkage with Pakistan’s water supply, and what the country can learn from other nations. The conversation also focused on climate change and its impact on human development, especially stunting.Dr. Ghazala Mansuri is a Lead Economist for the South Asia Region and a Global Lead for the Welfare Impacts of Climate Change at the World Bank. Her work, at the intersection of research and policy, has been published in leading journals in economics and development, including the American Economic Review, the Review of Economic Studies and the Review of Economics and Statistics. Her current research focuses on the effect of public policies on human development, and the impact of climate change and environmental degradation on the agri-food system and its implications for human health, poverty, and inequality. Her recent reports include When Water becomes a Hazard (2018), and the Pakistan Country Climate and Development Report (2022). She holds a PhD in economics from Boston University.Chapters:0:00 Introduction3:05 Nature and scale of crisis18:10 Water and stunting25:50 Ways to solve for this31:50 Climate change and stunting48:50 What have other countries done?55:30 What can the government do?59:10 What can parents do?1:09:00 Reading recommendationsReading Recommendations:-An Agricultural Testament by Albert Howard-The Soil and Health by Albert Howard-Farmers of Forty Centuries by Franklin H. King-Dirt: The Erosion of Civilization by David Montgomery
Uzair talks to M. Abdul Aleem about the role of foreign investment in Pakistan’s economy and the key reforms that foreign investors would like to see in the country. We also talked about what leading executives look for in emerging talent, and the key pain points faced by foreign investors in Pakistan.Mr. Muhammad Abdul Aleem is the CEO and Secretary General of Overseas Investors Chambers of Commerce & Industry (OICCI). OICCI is the oldest (since 1860) chamber of commerce in Asia. OICCI’s members comprising of 210 foreign investors collectively contribute about one third of the total tax revenue of Pakistan besides being the leader in transfer of technology and investment. Mr Abdul Aleem has worked in senior positions in both Exxon Chemicals and Engro Corporation, serving in Pakistan and Singapore. Thereafter, he worked with British American Tobacco Group UK (BAT) in Pakistan and overseas, where he ultimately served as CEO of BAT Operations in Cambodia, Mauritius, and Indian Ocean territory. Since 2004, he has served in senior positions with large Government-owned organizations in Pakistan and his last assignment was as the Managing Director, Pakistan State Oil Company Ltd.Chapters:0:00 Introduction4:30 The role of foreign investors13:30 Key issues and solutions for the economy22:20 Why are investors kept away from policymaking?26:40 Key traits for emerging talent33:25 Learning from failure36:40 Reform priorities42:40 Judicial reforms46:05 Reading recommendationsReading Recommendations:- CEO Excellence by Carolyn Dewar, Scott Keller, and Vikram Malhotra- Prosperity: Better Business Makes the Greater Good by Colin Mayer
Uzair talks to Dr. Ishrat Hussain about his new book and its key findings. We focused on Dr. Hussain’s view of why Pakistan fell behind India and Bangladesh, why policy stability matters, and things that he is watching for on the economic front.Dr. Hussain’s latest book Development Pathways 1947-2022 is now available in Pakistan and you can order it here - http://www.libertybooks.com/development-pathways-9786277626198Dr. Ishrat Husain started his career as member of Civil Service of Pakistan and then spent over two decades at the World Bank 1979-1999, where among many key positions, he became the Bank’s Chief Economist for Africa, Director Poverty and Social Department, Country Director for Central Asian Republics. He completed two terms as Governor of State Bank of Pakistan 1999-2005 and has been appointed to chair various commissions and other boards. In addition to his role as public policy practitioner in national and international arenas he has also taken active interest in scholarly pursuits. He is author of twenty four books , prominent being Governing the Ungovernable and The Economy of an Elitist state published by Oxford University Press . He has been awarded several international and national awards including the highest civilian award of Nishan e Imtiaz.Chapters:0:00 Introduction4:00 India’s reform success12:00 Role of common sense economics18:30 The role of unconstitutional interventions30:45 Trading with India35:50 Bangladesh’s keys to success42:15 Military Inc and its role46:20 Growing the pie v. distributing wealth50:35 Outlook for Pakistan’s economy56:10 Reading recommendationsReading Recommendations-Search for Stability edited by Maleeha Lodhi
This week’s episode focuses on the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza and its implications for the global world order. Uzair talks to Jasmine El-Gamal to get an assessment of Israel’s campaign against Hamas, why Western leaders are out of sync with their own public opinion, and the path forward for ending this conflict.Jasmine El-Gamal is a national security expert, political analyst and former Middle East advisor at the Pentagon. She is the founder and CEO of Mindwork Strategies, LTD, a consulting firm with a mission to help organisations craft empathy-based, culturally driven approaches to foreign policy, communications and workplace mental health. She has served throughout her 22-year career in various public and private-sector organisations covering issues related to security and international affairs. From 2008-2013, Jasmine served as a Middle East advisor in the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Middle East Policy. Born in New York and raised in Egypt, Jasmine’s experiences in the aftermath of 9/11 compelled her to spend her career advancing a less militarized, more humane U.S. approach to the Middle East, first as a U.S. public servant and then as a writer, analyst and media commentator.Chapters:0:00 Introduction4:10 Israel’s goals and strategy18:25 Hamas’ surrender and a ceasefire27:20 Double standards in Washington41:10 Building coalitions across communities45:20 Impact on US policy55:50 The need for patience1:01:45 Censorship in the West1:08:00 Reading recommendationsReading recommendations- Out of Place by Edward Said- No Ordinary Time: Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Uzair talks to Khadija Shahper Bakhtiar about Teach for Pakistan and the organization’s mission and vision. The conversation also focuses on the fellowship program being run by the organization and the key challenges facing Pakistan’s education sector.Khadija Shahper Bakhtiar is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Teach For Pakistan, a national nonprofit organization that nurtures leadership to end educational inequity. Teach For Pakistan provides inspired university graduates the opportunity and support to teach for two years in low-income communities through a structured Fellowship program and develop the leadership skills and contextual understandings to affect long-term, system-wide reform for educational equity.You can learn more about the fellowship here - https://iteachforpakistan.orgReading recommendations:-The Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo FreireChapters:0:00 Introduction2:40 What is Teach for Pakistan?10:10 What is the fellowship program?17:20 How do fellows help improve outcomes?23:30 Key criteria for fellows27:55 Major issues in education34:00 Devolving education40:44 Focus areas for governments46:30 Reading recommendations
In this episode, Uzair talks to Mehu Sitepu about Indonesia’s recently held presidential elections and its outcomes. These elections had a lot of similarities with Pakistan, including the use of social media to woo young voters, allegations of rigging, and questions over Indonesia’s policy towards the US and China.Mehu Sitepu is an Associate at The Asia Group’s Southeast Asia practice, where she supports clients navigating the region’s complex political and regulatory environments to build business strategies across a variety of sectors, including banking and finance, hospitality, manufacturing, and technology. With almost a decade’s experience as a journalist in Indonesia, including three years in a senior role at BBC News, Mehu has a strong knowledge of Southeast Asia and a far-reaching network of contacts. Chapters:0:00 Introduction2:40 Overview of the political landscape24:50 Role of social media30:01 Rigging allegations35:28 Foreign policy implications39:25 Economic policies44:49 Reading recommendations47:40 Role of the Indonesian militaryReading recommendations:-Indonesia, Etc. by Elizabeth Pisani-Departure: A Novel by Nh. Dini-Indonesian Food by Sri Owen
In this episode, Uzair talks to Taimur Malik about his political campaign in NA-148, where he competed as a PTI candidate against PPP’s former prime minister Yusuf Raza Gilani.The margin of victory for the PPP’s candidate was razor thin and Taimur is currently in the process of appealing the results. We talked about the vote count, what was it like to campaign in Multan given the constraints on the PTI, and what comes next for the party, both in the courts and in assemblies.You can follow Taimur on X @taimur_malik.Chapters:0:00 Introduction2:50 Status of NA-148 election12:30 PPP’s response to the results19:00 Campaigning in Multan for the PTI28:00 Overall appeals of the PTI37:50 PTI’s alliance with the SIC44:40 PTI’s strategy moving forward49:38 Reading recommendationsReading Recommendations-The Constitution of Pakistan-Nuskha ha-e Wafa bu Faiz Ahmed Faiz-The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
In this episode, Uzair talks to Farieha Aziz about the ongoing curbs on the internet, with X facing recurring blocks for the last two weeks. We talk about what the courts have said about these blocks, the response from the PTA, and why the industry needs to be more vocal about arbitrary internet shutdowns.Chapters:0:00 Introduction2:10 Current situation4:30 What have the courts said?11:05 The state’s response20:01 The industry’s response22:20 Legacy of past laws29:50 Outlook for the near-term37:00 Conclusion
In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Ilhan Niaz about the 2024 elections and their implications for the country. We focused on what has occurred in the past and the various scenarios that could play out.We also talked about analog autocrats and their shortcomings, and how more repression could create further instability in the country.Chapters0:00 Introduction4:45 2024 elections analysis15:20 Failures of the analog autocrats24:40 What can we learn from history?41:50 Potential political scenarios51:05 Why no one wants to rule the federation1:01:00 Conclusion
Uzair talks to Navid Goraya about Karandaaz’s ongoing work in Pakistan and their focus on improving access to finance for SMEs and women. We also talked about the outlook for the year and the key things that have to happen after elections to rebuild confidence in the economy.Navid Goraya is the chief investment officer of Karandaaz Capital. He has over 25 years of global experience in asset management, investment strategy, product development and corporate finance. Before joining Karandaaz as the CIO, he was leading a Strategic Advisory Firm, White Oak Advisors Inc, in New York where he was involved in serving private equity funds, family offices, banks and insurance companies in support of global investments in the US, Middle East, Southeast Asia and South Asia.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:50 What does Karandaaz do?11:10 Barriers to financial inclusion17:00 Role of the National Credit Guarantee Company22:40 Bringing modern finance to women28:40 What should happen after elections34:10 Avoiding past mistakes37: Reading recommendationsReading recommendations:- Buck Up, Suck Up . . . and Come Back When You Foul Up: 12 Winning Secrets from the War Room by James Carville
Uzair talks to Hamza Haroon, an independent candidate running in the national assembly elections in Pakistan from NA-46. Uzair talks to Hamza about his campaign strategy, the key issues facing Islamabad’s constituents, and what has he heard on the campaign trail.You can follow Hamza on X @HamzaAliHaroon and on Instagram @hamzaaharoon.Chapters:0:00 Introduction3:20 What is the election situation like?7:50 Key issues of constituents14:50 How people vote24:10 Hamza’s electoral strategy29:40 Islamabad’s governance challenge33:30 Why younger people should enter politics37:20 Reading recommendationsReading recommendations:-Leadership on the line by Marty Linsky and Ronald Heifetz-For the Record by David Cameron
In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Kamran Bokhari about Iran’s unprovoked attacks on Pakistan, Pakistan’s counterstrike, and what comes next. We talked about the broader issues in the region, Iran’s own calculus, and the ways in which the regional dynamics are altered in the wake of these escalations.Dr. Kamran Bokhari is the Senior Director of the Eurasian Security and Prosperity portfolio at the New Lines Institute. Previously, he served as Director of Analytical Development Department from 2019 to 2023. Dr. Bokhari is also a national security and foreign policy specialist at the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute. Bokhari has also served as the Central Asia Studies Course Coordinator at U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Service Institute.Chapters:0:00 Introduction2:30 Why did Iran attack Pakistan?11:20 Assessing Pakistan’s response20:20 Iran’s broader calculus27:50 Did Pakistan strike the right balance?43:50 What comes next?Podcast on Iran protests - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpUPncr5MrsReading Recommendations:- https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/experts-react-whats-really-going-on-with-pakistan-and-iran-exchanging-attacks/- https://www.usip.org/publications/2024/01/making-sense-iran-pakistan-cross-border-strikes- https://amwaj.media/article/exclusive-inside-the-iranian-pakistani-exchange-of-fire-nbsp
In this episode, Uzair talks to Khurram Husain about Pakistan’s economic outlook in 2024, why he is concerned about the cycle of revenge, and things he will watch out for immediately after elections in 2024.Reading Recommendations:- https://www.dawn.com/news/1804904/reassembling-pakistan- https://file.pide.org.pk/pdfpideresearch/discourse-2023-06-43-pakistan-and-the-imf.pdf Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:50 IMF review13:05 Caretaker reforms19:40 Elections and legitimacy30:30 A new triumvirate and its implications41:50 What to look for
Welcome to the 2024 season of Pakistonomy. We begin this season with as usual an outlook episode. Uzair talks to Arifa Noor, journalist at Dawn and host of the show Newswise, about the upcoming elections, the crisis of legitimacy, and the electoral dynamics in the country right now. Chapters:0:00 Introduction3:50 State of media today17:50 Elections outlook23:30 PML-N’s strategy27:12 PTI’s strategy36:20 Scenarios and hybrid regime41:10 New mandate and legitimacy49:40 What is the vision for Pakistan?55:05 ConclusionReading recommendations:- Zahid Hussain’s latest piece - https://www.dawn.com/news/1783550/trying-for-a-fourth-term- Arifa Noor’s article in Dawn - https://www.dawn.com/news/1802553/the-centre-cannot-hold
In this episode, Uzair talks to Sabina Khatri about her work in Lyari, where she has spent over two decades investing in the education of a young generation of citizens. We talked about how and why Sabina began working in Lyari, the ways in which trauma hardens young children, especially men, and how community engagement and education can help birth a new generation of leaders who have deep empathy and a passion to change things.Sabina Khatri is the visionary Founder of Kiran Foundation (KF), a non-profit organization she established in response to a distressing incident of child abuse and domestic violence. Guided by an unyielding commitment to creating positive change, Sabina's journey began in 2004 and has since evolved into a transformative force in Lyari.KF's innovative Mother and Child, Trauma-Informed Education System, rooted in values such ascompassion, ownership, responsibility, and empathy, reflects Sabina's dedication to holistic growth for both mothers and children. Over a decade of direct community involvement underscores her mission to provide marginalized families with a nurturing environment and quality education, transcending socio-economic barriers.In 2020, she was awarded the 'Sitara-e-Imtiaz' by the government of Pakistan. You can learn more about the Kiran Foundation here – www.kiranfoundation.orgWatch this video about the foundation’s graduates - https://youtu.be/d2RFHHBIqrQ?feature=sharedReading recommendations:-Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl-When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress by Gabor Maté-Dibs in Search of Self by Virginia Axline-The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Bilal Khatri about his journey from Iqra University to Freiburg, where he is currently doing cutting-edge scientific research. We talked about the difference in how sciences are taught in Germany and Pakistan, why teaching the scientific method is important, and how innovation is going to transform our society.We also talked about how young students from places like Pakistan can do cutting-edge research in Europe, with Bilal sharing some thoughts on how to go about settling in a non-English speaking country.Bilal Khatri completed his Bachelors in Electronic Engineering from Iqra University, Karachi, Pakistan and his Masters in Microsystems Engineering from the University of Freiburg, Germany. In 2019, he completed his PhD on the development and characterization of functional composite materials for additive manufacturing (3D-printing) technologies. Since then, he is working as a postdoctoral researcher and academic at the Institute for Sustainable Systems Engineering (INATECH) at the University of Freiburg. His research interests include additive manufacturing, hybrid and composite materials with tailored properties, and the development of more sustainable materials and processes as well as circular strategies for materials used in the automotive and aerospace sectors. Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:20 Bilal’s educational journey8:30 How to adjust to life in Germany13:10 Education in Pakistan v. Germany26:35 State of scientific research in manufacturing43:30 Innovation and its potential for Pakistan55:05 Risks from rapid innovation to developing countries1:16:30 Reading recommendationsReading recommendations:-Materials and Sustainable Development by Michael F. Ashby-No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz-Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality by Eliezer YudkowskyYou can follow Bilal's gaming channel here - https://www.youtube.com/ @2GBananas Other YouTube channels recommended by Bilal:The B1M: https://www.youtube.com/@TheB1MReal Engineering: https://www.youtube.com/@RealEngineeringVeritasium: https://www.youtube.com/@veritasiumMark Rober: https://www.youtube.com/@MarkRoberKurzgesagt: https://www.youtube.com/@kurzgesagtAstrum: https://www.youtube.com/@astrumspaceComputerphile: https://www.youtube.com/@ComputerphileTwo Bit Da Vinci: https://www.youtube.com/@TwoBitDaVinciTwo Minute Papers: https://www.youtube.com/@TwoMinutePapersProf. Sabine Hossenfelder: https://www.youtube.com/@SabineHossenfelderThe Royal Institution: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRoyalInstitution
In this episode, Uzair talks to Tuqa Nusairat about the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, its key drivers and the path forward. We also talked about the regional responses so far and how the Biden administration has engaged with key partners in recent days.Tuqa Nusairat is the director for strategy, operations, and finance at Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East Programs. Since joining the Council in 2012, she has played a key role in shaping the direction and growth of the Council’s Middle East related programming, publications, outreach and development and has been instrumental in advancing relationships with vital stakeholders including donors, board members, and high-level contacts. In addition to managing a team of Washington-based fellows and staff, her research focuses on political reform, civil society, and human rights broadly in the region, with a special focus on Jordan.Chapters:0:00 Introduction2:35 Contextualizing this moment8:45 Hamas’ strategic calculus12:40 Palestinian views right now17:10 Regional situation21:33 Scenarios to keep in mind25:30 Biden admin’s response32:30 China’s response36:08 Reading recommendationsReading recommendations:-The Hundred Years' War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi-I Saw Ramallah by Mourid Barghouti
In this episode, Uzair talks to Zafar Masud about Pakistan’s economy, how to reduce cash in circulation, and why fiscal deficits are the core problem that need resolution.Zafar Masud is an international banker and entrepreneur currently serving as the President and CEO of The Bank of Punjab. Previously, he has been employed at senior positions by multinational banks across Pakistan and abroad. You can read the co-authored piece on cash economy here - https://www.dawn.com/news/1779399/comment-transitioning-away-from-a-cash-economyChapters:0:00 Introduction1:10 Why is cash a problem?21:50 Demonetization in Pakistan31:44 Financial inclusion42:30 Debt restructuring52:55 Charter of society1:05:13 Reading recommendationsReading recommendations:-If God was a Banker by Ravi Subramanian-Gambling on Development by Stefan Dercon-Time for Socialism by Thomas Piketty-The Culture Map by Erin Meyer-In an Uncertain World by Robert Rubin
Uzair talks to Zeeshan Salahuddin about the climate crisis and its impact on Pakistan. We focus on the fallout from the catastrophic floods in 2022, why the response was weak and the path forward for the country.Zeeshan is the Director for the Center for Regional and Global Connectivity (CRGC) at Tabadlab, a think tank and advisory services firm that works with businesses, international organisations, and governments to solve their most pressing challenges. Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:30 Overview of the climate crisis6:40 Capital needs and debt13:24 Taxing to become client resilient17:00 Youth involvement23:25 Capacity issues in Pakistan26:50 Role of finance32:20 Focus for 2024 and beyond44:00 Optimizing the economy51:10 Conclusion
In this episode, Uzair talks to Asim Kidwai about Pakistan’s tourism sector and LOKAL, a startup that is helping scaling an affordable tourism ecosystem in the country. We talk about his journey as an entrepreneur, how the startup is growing its presence across Pakistan, and the company’s expansion plans for the GCC.Asim Kidwai is co-founder and CEO at LOKAL. He graduated from the University of Michigan and was part of the initial team at Kia Motors that was setting up their first automotive assembly plant in Pakistan.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:30 About LOKAL7:05 Modernizing hotels across Pakistan11:30 State of the tourism industry14:05 Market growth strategy19:00 Hiring the right talent22:45 Growing across Pakistan30:05 Scaling in an economic crisis33:55 Reading recommendationsReading recommendations- The Last days of Night by Graham Moore- World Travel: An Irreverent Guide by Anthony Bourdain and Laurie Woolever
In this episode we talk about Mexico’s ongoing economic growth story, which has taken off due to increasing investments in light of the US-China competition. Uzair talks to Beatriz Navarro about what’s going on in the country, its politics, and the expectations around the upcoming elections.Beatriz is a lawyer and international public affairs specialist. She also served as an appointed diplomat at the Mexican Embassy in the United States. She currently serves as Senior Public Sector Specialist for the World Bank Group. Beatriz has published several articles for the Inter-American Development Bank on accountability and social development in Latin America.Reading recommendations:-The labyrinth of solitude by Octavio Paz-Sapiens by Yuval Noah Hariri-The Golden Notebook by Doris LessingChapters:0:00 Introduction2:20 Why are companies investing in Mexico?11:50 AMLO and his politics41:20 Growing role of military in Mexico50:09 Electoral outlook58:10 Reading recommendations
In this episode, Uzair talks to Ammar Khan about the ongoing electricity and dollar crises in the country. We also touch on ways to resolve these issues and why they are linked to competence and willingness to make decisions.Ammar has written extensively on these topics and you can read some of his pieces using the links below:-https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=ammar+khan+atlantic+council+infrastructure&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8 -https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1104195-how-to-make-electricity-affordable-https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1106254-need-for-radical-ideasChapters:0:00 Introduction1:30 Understanding the power crisis17:34 Dollar rate and smuggling26:30 Demonetization and disrupting the system35:14 NICVD and healthcare
In this episode, Uzair talks to Khurram Husain about what is going on with the rupee and why money supply growth is actually the real driver of the ongoing weakness of the currency. We also talk about why Khurram has a bleak outlook for the economy, what it will take to stop the vicious cycle, and his views on the SIFC.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:25 What is causing PKR weakness?20:15 Political impact of the adjustment27:00 How to stop the vicious cycle?34:40 Views on SIFC41:10 Conclusion
In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Asfandyar Mir about the evolving political and security situation in Afghanistan. We also talked about the terror landscape in the country and its impact on regional powers. Finally, we talked about the growing terror threat in Pakistan and why the Afghan Taliban have been unwilling to stop the TTP from using Afghan soil to target Pakistsan.Dr. Mir is a senior expert in the South Asia program at USIP and his research interests include the international relations of South Asia, U.S. counterterrorism policy and political violence — with a regional focus on Afghanistan and Pakistan.You can read his article here - https://www.usip.org/publications/2023/08/two-years-under-taliban-afghanistan-terrorist-safe-haven-once-again Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:50 The overall situation in Afghanistan18:50 The terror landscape in the region38:45 Why is the TTP finding havens?46:40 Reasons for confusion in Pakistan57:20 Politics in Pakistan and its impact
In this episode, Uzair talks to Ammar Ali Jan about the last five years of democratic rule in Pakistan, the outlook for the next twelve months, and why the country is likely to face growing instability. We also talked about Ammar’s own political work in Lahore and why left-wing politics is necessary as an alternative means to engage people at the grassroots level.Chapters:0:00 Introduction2:20 Democratic backsliding in Pakistan14:30 Outlook for the next 12 months21:16 The left’s political agenda34:40 Culture of resistance in Pakistan40:10 Reading recommendationsReading Recommendations- How China Escaped Shock Therapy by Isabella Weber
In this episode, Uzair talks to Mutaher Khan about the state of Pakistan’s startup ecosystem and the outlook for the next 12-18 months. Mutaher is a technology and business journalist, and co-founder of Data Darbar.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:45 State of the ecosystem18:18 Why did big startups collapse?29:05 Talent demand for tech40:50 Impact of legislation and policy52:20 Outlook for next 12 months1:01:50 Reading recommendationsReading recommendations:-India Wins Freedom by Maulana Azad-Cornered Tiger by Adam Licudi and Wasim Raja-Patras Kay Mazameen by Patras Bokhari
Access to quality healthcare is a major challenge across Pakistan. This is especially true for those of us who are abroad and need to find quality healthcare for our loved ones back home. Human-Healthcare aims to solve this problem, providing a one-stop concierge service for healthcare needs in the country.In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Atif Zafar about the startup, how and why it was founded, and the ways in which it is providing quality care in the country. We also talked about some of the challenges the team has faced, and the plans for growth.Atif Zafar is a physician leader originally from Karachi, Pakistan. He is trained in the US including at the Cleveland Clinic. He is currently working as the chief of the stroke program at a major university hospital in Toronto. He is also a faculty, teaching medical students, residents, and fellows at the University of Toronto. He has built clinical programs both in the US and Canada. His latest effort is very unique. The startup human-healthcare.com has been launched in Karachi where overseas Pakistanis can get their family experience VIP medical care at home under the supervision of US, UK, and Canada-based specialists.Chapters:0:00 Introduction2:30 Vision and mission11:45 What has worked and not worked?19:10 Recruiting talent and building the ecosystem24:10 How to get their services?35:10 Providing specialist services to patients41:20 Growth strategy44:33 Reading recommendationsReading recommendations:-Antifragile by Nassim Taleb-Presuasion by Robert Cialdini-The Evolution of Cooperation by Robert Axelrod
We have talked a lot about the role of Pakistani elites in the ongoing crises the country is facing, but not a whole lot on the role of the international order in influencing elite choices and Pakistan’s political economy. In this episode, Uzair talks to Azeema Cheema about the global drivers of Pakistan’s prolonged crises and the ways in which international actors have encouraged autocracy in the country.Azeema Cheema is a Founding Director at Verso Consulting, a Pakistan-based collective of practitioners, where she leads the portfolio on Conflict, Fragility and Violence. Azeema has over seventeen years of experience as a researcher with civil society organizations, governments and international organizations focusing on political economy, social cohesion, and conflict in Pakistan.Chapters:0:00 Introduction2:00 Global elites and their role15:15 War and Pakistan24:20 Why didn’t Pakistan end up like Korea?38:30 Current situation and scope for reform49:46 Reading recommendationsReading recommendations:- Under the Gun: Political Parties and Violence in Pakistan by Nilofer Siddiqui- The Culture of Power and Governance in Pakistan by Ilhan Niaz
In this episode, Uzair talks to Adnan Ansari about India’s Digital Data Protection Bill and what it means for internet users in the country. We also talked about the impact of this legislation on businesses and the investments India is looking to make in Digital Public Infrastructure.Adnan Ahmad Ansari is an Associate Vice President with The Asia Group’s South Asia Practice. Adnan brings extensive strategic advisory experience in helping clients advance their business and policy interests in India. Before joining TAG, Adnan was an Associate Vice President at 9.9 Insights, the independent strategic adviser to the Dentons Global Advisers-Albright Stonebridge Group in India. Adnan spent close to seven years at 9.9, working with Indian and international corporations across sectors. Chapters:0:00 Introduction2:00 Background of this legislation13:03 Key features of the Bill25:00 Impact on tech companies32:45 Mindset shift for companies38:14 Other policy changes impact tech45:36 India’s DPI strategy
In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Fahd Ali about the recent deal Pakistan reached with the IMF and what comes next. We also talked at length about the taxation challenges in Pakistan, whether the country needs debt restructuring, and what he would like to see policymakers focus on in the next 12 months.Dr. Fahd Ali is Assistant Professor and Dean of Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences at the Information Technology University. Dr. Fahd Ali did his PhD in Economics from The New School for Social Research. He also has an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, and two Masters in Economics from Lahore University of Management Sciences and University of Utah, respectively. His research interests lie in macroeconomics and economic history with political economy as theme common to both.Before joining the Information Technology University, he was working at Habib University as an assistant professor in their Social Development Policy and policy programme.Chapters:0:00 Introduction2:15 The IMF deal16:10 Taxation challenges36:50 Debt restructuring52:00 Priorities for next 12 months1:09:10 Reading recommendationsReading recommendations:- The Wages of Destruction by Adam Tooze- Directorate S by Steve Coll
In this episode, Uzair talks to Ashok Malik about Modi’s visit to the United States and the future of US-India relations. We also talked about India’s foreign policy in the Middle East, and prospects of trade between India and Pakistan.Ashok Malik is a Partner at The Asia Group and Chair of its New Delhi-based subsidiary in India where he leads the firm’s in-market business strategy and services.Drawing on over 30 years of experience in government, media, and thought leadership Ashok is a recognized specialist on India’s policy landscape and the intersection of business and politics. Ashok advises clients on tailored strategies for market entry and expansion in India, enterprise level risk management and crisis mitigation. His areas of expertise include India’s foreign and trade policies and the government’s approach to international business, resilient supply chains and national capacities.Prior to joining TAG, Ashok served for three years (2019-22) as Policy Advisor/Additional Secretary in India’s Ministry of External Affairs. In that capacity, he worked closely with External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and others in the senior leadership of the Ministry to help shape and explain India’s foreign policy in a crucial and eventful period for the international system.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:30 Key takeaways from Modi’s US visit25:46 India’s foreign policy in the Middle East39:20 Future of India-Pakistan relations
In this episode, Uzair talks to Mahim Maher about her career in journalism and digital media, what she found covering the problems of Karachi, and things that aspiring and young journalists should focus on.Mahim most recently served as a digital editor at Aaj and has several years of experience across multiple news organizations in Pakistan.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:50 Mahim’s career trajectory11:43 What ails Karachi?32:04 State of digital media in Pakistan48:40 Advice for aspiring journalistsReading Recommendations:For giving yourself permission to write detail:White Noise by Don Delillo A Sport and Pastime by James Salter Anything by Ian McEwan For the nuts and bolts of journalism:Breaking News: The Remaking of Journalism and Why it Matters Now by Alan Rusbridger who oversaw The Guardian’s digital transformationEditor: An Inside Story of Newspapers by Max Hastings for what to look for in an editor or how to mould one’s principles to become oneFor deeper study of writing and editing:Storycraft: The Complete Guide to Writing Narrative Nonfiction by Jack Hart for an advanced study of how to approach longform in a sophisticated way The Accidental Life: An Editor’s Notes on Writing and Writers by Terry McDonell for behind the scenes wisdom on editing writers
In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Tanvi Madan about how India is dealing with a rising China and the current state of India-China relations. We also talked about what tensions between India and China mean for the country’s relations with the United States.Dr. Tanvi Madan is a senior fellow in the Project on International Order and Strategy in the Foreign Policy program, and director of The India Project at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC. Dr. Madan’s work explores India’s role in the world and its foreign policy, focusing in particular on India's relations with China and the United States. She also researches the U.S. and India’s approaches in the Indo-Pacific, as well as the development of interest-based coalitions, especially the Australia-India-Japan-U.S. Quad.Dr. Madan is the author of the book “Fateful Triangle: How China Shaped US-India Relations during the Cold War” Reading recommendations:-How China Sees India by Shyam Saran-The Long Game by Vijay Gokhale-Smoke and Mirrors by Pallavi Iyer-India’s China Challenge by Ananth KrishnanChapters:0:00 Introduction1:10 Current state of affairs between India and China9:20 India’s diplomacy around Chinese debt16:55 Modi’s trip to Washington25:15 Anti-Americanism in India35:06 India’s diplomacy in East Asia42:30 Trends to watch out for50:05 Reading recommendations
In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Hassan Abbas about his latest book, The Return of the Taliban: Afghanistan After the Americans Left.Dr. Hassan Abbas is Distinguished Professor of International Relations at the Near East South Asia Strategic Studies Centre (NESA), National Defense University in Washington DC. He has also authored The Prophet’s Heir: The Life of Ali ibn Abi Talib (Yale University Press, March 2021), and The Taliban Revival (Yale University Press, June 2014), which chronicles the Taliban’s survival and resurgence after 2001, through firsthand research and interviews in the area.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:37 Why did Kabul fall so quickly?18:28 How did the Taliban evolve?33:42 Pakistan’s role and impact on the country53:26 Global impact of Taliban’s resurgence1:04:57 Political instability in Pakistan and ethnic issues
In this episode, we dive deep into fiscal deficits in Pakistan and how they wreak economic havoc. In addition, we talk about the linkages between the fiscal deficit, higher interest rates, and external sector vulnerabilities.Dr. Derek H. C. Chen joined the World Bank in 2000 where he has held a number of positions. Currently, he is the Senior Economist for Pakistan, based at the World Bank office in Islamabad. He oversees the macroeconomics and fiscal programs and leads the production of various economic reports at the Islamabad office, including the most recent Pakistan Federal Public Expenditure Review 2023.You can read the Pakistan Federal Public Expenditure Review (PER) 2023 here - https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/099041223153536828#/P17507702d44490bd0bb660b4b60037e930Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:30 Why are deficits so high?8:50 Impact of these deficits16:40 Links between economic instability and deficits22:40 Government spending issues26:10 Subsidies for the rich32:20 Recommendations to solve this
In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Ilhan Niaz about what is going on in Pakistan today and what we can learn from history to understand the present and what may come in the future. We also talked about why the political class is morally bankrupt, how the judiciary has ceded space, and why the military has been able to reassert itself in the country’s political economy.Dr. Niaz is chair of the history department at the Quaid-e-Azam University and author of several books, including The State During the British Raj: Imperial Governance in South Asia, 1700-1947.Chapters:0:00 Introduction0:55 Understanding the present8:10 How the military draws power16:26 The supreme court’s role today27:15 Maintaining unity among civilians32:15 Has Khan awakened the masses?40:37 Scenarios for the future46:05 The role of geopolitical rents50:54 Is Shehbaz the worst PM in history?
In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Ayyaz Malick about the ongoing crises in Pakistan and where he sees things going. Dr. Malick is a university lecturer, with research interests in Marxist and post-/anti-colonial theory.He has recently written a must-read essay on the ongoing crisis which can be read at the link below.https://jacobin.com/2023/05/imran-khan-arrest-pakistan-politics-crisis-military-alienation-ruling-class-oppressionTweet on military lands for agriculture - https://twitter.com/Benazir_Shah/status/1660897023531585539?s=20Previous discussion with Ayyaz - https://youtu.be/_Qv0GrxM0-YChapters:0:00 Introduction1:40 Framework for understanding the crises17:20 Shifting alliances and the importance of May 933:00 Why are PTI leaders leaving so quickly?55:23 Role of the PDM parties in this and future scenarios1:19:25 Can a savior like Khan save Pakistan?Reading Recommendations:- Antonio Gramsci - On the Southern Question (for understanding hegemony and how ruling classes rule)- Aijaz Ahmad - Lineages of the Present (for understanding Bonapartism, Bhuttoism, and fascism in South Asian politics)- Gyorgy Lukacs, History and Class Consciousness (for understanding structural blindness of ruling classes i.e. why elites cannot reform themselves)
We continue our special series on the US-China strategic competition this week by looking at Australia’s evolving foreign policy with Professor Jane Golley.Professor Jane Golley is an economist at the Crawford School of Public Policy at The Australian National University (ANU). Jane is an ANU graduate (BEc, Hons, 1993). Jane's life-long interest in China began with a brief stint in the Asia Section of the Australian Commonwealth Treasury in 1993, before she left for the University of Oxford, where she wrote her Dphil thesis on 'The Dynamics of Chinese Regional Development: Market Nature, State Nurture'.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:50 The Australian view on China11:08 Assessing Australia’s China policy14:50 Technology and geoeconomics23:15 Debt-trap diplomacy31:30 Who wins this competition?37:50 What should Global South countries do?44:15 Key trends to watch for48:20 Reading recommendationsReading Recommendations:-The China Choice by Hugh White-Fear of Abandonment by Allan Gyngell-No Enemies No Friends-Six Faces of Globalization by Anthea Roberts
We continue our special series on the US-China strategic competition this week by looking at the deepening military ties between Pakistan and China with Sameer Lalwani.Sameer Lalwani is a senior expert on South Asia at the U.S. Institute of Peace. He is also a non-resident senior fellow with the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments.From 2015 to 2022, Dr. Lalwani was a senior fellow for Asia strategy and the director of the South Asia program at the Stimson Center. He has also spent time as an adjunct professor at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs and as a Stanton nuclear security postdoctoral fellow at the RAND Corporation.Sameer recently published a report titled A Threshold Alliance: The China-Pakistan Military Relationship which is a must-read: https://www.usip.org/publications/2023/03/threshold-alliance-china-pakistan-military-relationshipChapters:0:00 Introduction1:30 What is a threshold alliance?4:50 Pakistan’s procurement of Chinese weapons10:25 Where is the Pakistan-China relationship going?19:30 China’s influence in Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea29:40 Important trends to monitor37:37 Reading recommendations
Over the next few episodes, we are going to be focusing on the US-China rivalry and what it means for the world. In addition, we will try to bring to the forefront a diverse set of views on this rivalry and what key actors are concerned about and trying to do.To start things off, I spoke to Andrew Small on China’s rise, what are the key things concerning countries in East Asia, and where he sees things going.Andrew Small is a senior transatlantic fellow with GMF's Indo-Pacific Program, which he established in 2006. His research focuses on U.S.–China relations, Europe–China relations, Chinese policy in South Asia, and broader developments in China's foreign and economic policy. He is the author of The Rupture: China and the Global Race for the Future, which was named one of the 2022 Financial Times Politics Books of the Year, and The China-Pakistan Axis: Asia's New Geopolitics.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:50 China’s rise and key concerns10:00 Military escalation in East Asia21:37 Assessing Washington’s approach32:10 Emerging markets, debt, and Chinese influence40:20 What should South Asia pay attention to?48:06 Reading recommendations
In this episode, we talk about the meat industry in Pakistan, key components of this sector, and why meat prices are going up in the country.Suleman Anwar joined us to share his insights on these topics, what a roadmap for reforms should look like, and why price caps will not work. Suleman is a six-sigma trained business development & turnaround professional, successful at driving sustainable top-line growth, improving customer retention rates, and continuous bottom-line improvements. After extensive corporate sector work for +14 years with international brands, in 2017 he started his entrepreneurial journey and co-founded three successful startups. He is also a member of SBN ExCom for Pakistan under the umbrella of the Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives and has been a member of the working group of the State Bank of Pakistan on special initiatives.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:45 Key components of the meat value chain12:20 Synergies in agriculture sector30:30 Cold storage and dairy supply chain40:50 Role of incentives in policy46:50 McDonalds in India52:00 Contracts and property rights57:28 Key reasons for meat inflation1:05:20 Roadmap for change1:13:15 Reading recommendationsReading Recommendations:- Char Admi by Amjad Saqib- Getting Things Done by David Allen- Diplomacy by Henry KissingerReadings for McDonalds in India:- https://mcdonaldsblog.in/2016/10/20-years-the-potato-revolution/- https://www.forbesindia.com/article/my-learnings/in-search-of-the-perfect-potato-mcdonalds-in-india/21052/1- https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/food/we-source-all-our-ingredients-locally-mcdonalds-india/articleshow/17480753.cms?from=mdr
In this episode, Uzair talks to Leila Serhan about Visa’s strategy, role, and mission for digitizing payments and promoting financial inclusion in Pakistan. We talk about how the company views Pakistan’s market, what it is doing to have a meaningful impact in the country, and ways in which digitization of payments can be accelerated in Pakistan.Leila Serhan is the Group Country Manager and Senior Vice President for NALP. Leila brings more than two decades experience of leadership positions, including 20 years gained at Microsoft. Leila most recently led Microsoft’s public sector business across the Gulf region, and previously served as General Manager for its operations across North Africa, East Mediterranean, and Pakistan.She previously held roles spanning country management, finance and marketing and has driven public and private sector digital transformation initiatives in finance, government and education.Leila is a strong advocate for women’s empowerment, founding and currently serving as President for the Women in IT Association in Lebanon.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:30 Visa’s business and core competencies8:50 Barriers to financial inclusion18:40 Visa’s impact strategy in Pakistan23:06 Digital public infrastructure32:40 Reading recommendationsReading recommendations:-How To Win Friends And Influence People by Dale Carnegie-Good Strategy Bad Strategy by Richard Rumelt-A Gentleman In Moscow by Amor Towles
We talk about the role access to the internet can play in transforming Pakistan’s economy, promote inclusion, and really empower those who are on the periphery of Pakistan’s political economy.The Universal Service Fund (USF) has been doing some phenomenal work on this topic, and Haaris Mahmood Chaudhry, who currently serves as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of USF, joins us to share what his organization is up to to promote access to the internet. Haaris has over 20 years of global experience in the private and public sector, with a particular focus in telecoms and finance.You should also follow USF on Twitter @USF_Pak.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:30 USF’s mandate and mission10:20 Scaling internet infrastructure in Pakistan15:30 Barriers to access in the ecosystem22:30 Scaling pilot projects28:10 Impact of access to internet
In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Aaron L. Jackson about the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and the strains we are seeing in the US banking sector. We also talk about rising rates, why the Fed is being so aggressive, and the outlook for inflation and the US economy.Aaron L. Jackson is the Senior Associate Dean of Business, and Professor of Economics at Bentley University, where he has also served as Chair of the Economics department.Aaron’s academic interests in teaching and research focus on macroeconomics and monetary policy. He has publications in a number of journals including Applied Economics, the Journal of Macroeconomics, Economic Inquiry, Review of World Economics, and Macroeconomic Dynamics, among others. Aaron has periodically provided expert commentary on monetary policy and the macroeconomy to various media both locally and nationally.Chapters:0:00 Introduction2:00 The financial crisis and its implications15:00 Inflation and asset prices21:32 Inflationary pressures and higher rates37:00 SVB’s collapse and bank runs49:15 Conclusion
Uzair talks to Usama Nini, co-founder of Qureos, a startup changing how people connect, learn and work. The team is on a mission to accelerate 100 million careers by matching talent to mentors, projects and job opportunities.In this episode, we talk about Usama’s own journey, what Qureos is looking to do, and how technology is helping reduce friction in the jobs market.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:30 Mission and vision18:30 Growth and investment goals24:20 What should people focus on early in their careers?39:15 Reading recommendations
In this episode, we talk about Pakistan’s debt problems, how much it needs to repay in the near future, and whether the country needs debt restructuring. We also talk about some of the ways in which debt management needs to improve in the country.Joining me for this conversation is Uzair Aqeel, who has 15+ years of experience in international debt markets, including structured credit and distressed debt. He was previously at Deutsche Bank in London, where he was global head of distribution for complex emerging market products, overseeing the firm’s largest institutional client relationships. His team raised billions of dollars in debt for emerging market borrowers, including stressed sovereigns like Ukraine, Egypt and Argentina. He is now the managing partner of Nairang Capital, a private markets investor focused on emerging & frontier markets.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:45 What are Pakistan’s debt repayment obligations?9:25 Does Pakistan need debt restructuring?27:30 Why is debt restructuring not a panacea?36:00 How do improve debt management?
In this episode, Uzair talks to Gonzalo Varela about the World Bank’s most recent report on Pakistan’s economy and its key findings. We talk about how distortions caused by tax policy, inefficient pricing of inputs and products, and curbs on imports are stagnating growth in the country.We also talk about the benefits of improving the economic inclusion of women in the country and its near- and long-term consequences on the broader political economy. Finally, we also lay out the sequence of key reforms that must be considered by a government to rebuild from the ongoing crisis.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:55 Key findings from the report17:50 Distortions in the wheat market27:45 Sovereign’s borrowing and impact on investment43:10 Women’s role in economic growth51:00 Sequence and nature of reformsYou can read the full World Bank report here - https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099820410112267354/pdf/P1749040fc80a70ca0b6f70f7860c4a1034.pdf
In this episode, Uzair talks to Abdul Moiz Jaferii about the ongoing hearings in the Supreme Court, which has intervened to ensure that elections are held as per the constitution. We talked about the process that led to the hearings in the Supreme Court, the split in the bench, and the medium-term outlook for the superior judiciary.Abdul Moiz Jaferii is a lawyer and tweets @jaferii.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:45 Why did the courts intervene for elections?19:20 What happens if the government does not comply?25:30 Split in the superior judiciary36:10 Reko diq case and its end
In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Erum Sattar about the Indus Waters Treaty, its history, and India's notice to amend the agreement. We dive deep into some of the capacity constraints on the Pakistani side and why we should be paying attention to ongoing events related to the treaty.Dr.Erum Sattar is the Former Program Director of the Sustainable Water Management Program and a Lecturer at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University.
We take a step back from the coverage of the economic crisis and ongoing negotiation and focus on emerging businesses that are the future of the economy,In this episode, Uzair talks to Omer Khan, founder and CEO of PostEx, Pakistan’s largest e-commerce service provider. PostEx is offering easy access to capital with embedded logistics and Uzair and Omer talk about the company’s vision, what it takes to solve for issues faced by small businesses, and how young adults can succeed at startups and founding their own businesses.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:20 What is PostEx?10:45 Credit, trust, and small business22:30 Formalizing and digitizing payments29:30 Why cash is king?35:30 Failing and entrepreneurship39:50 Where is the startup ecosystem headed?
In this episode, Uzair talks to Ali Khizar about the ongoing negotiations with the IMF, the path forward, and why consensus is needed to rescue the economy. We also talk about debt restructuring, why the last few months have destroyed Pakistan’s credibility, and the broader challenges confronting the economy even after an IMF program is put back on track.Ali Khizar is a business journalist who frequently writes for Business Recorder.Chapters:0:00 Introduction0:45 Why did the IMF deal did not happen?24:00 Debt restructuring needs34:30 Political crisis and economic stability
In this episode, Uzair talks to Khurram Husain about the latest economic developments in Pakistan, focusing on the ongoing negotiations with the IMF. We also talk about why this time feels different, with not a whole lot of optimism for the economy and its future.Chapters:0:00 Introduction0:55 IMF negotiations21:35 Can the economy stabilize even with the IMF?27:30 The role of the central bank34:00 Why this crisis is different
In this episode, Uzair talks to Ali Farid Khwaja about the economic chaos in Pakistan and the collapse of the rupee. We also talk about why restructuring is necessary and how that process would work. Finally, we also touch on the startup community and takeaways from Paklaunch’s Unconference, which was recently held in Dubai.Ali Farid Khwaja is Chairman of KTrade Securities and has over a decade of experience in the technology and financial sectors.Chapters:0:00 Introduction2:30 Devaluation of the rupee and debt restructuring15:30 Why has selective default happened?24:30 Economic discourse and role of politics31:10 Gravity of the situation34:43 Takeaways from Paklaunch Unconference40:19 Saving and investing for the long-term44:30 Need for honesty
In this presentation, Uzair talks through a presentation on the economic crises in Pakistan, their causes, and the implication of not resolving the crisis through structural reforms.
In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Naveed Sherwani about the global semiconductor industry, how geopolitics is affecting what is an extremely interconnected supply chain, and Pakistan’s potential in this space.Dr. Naveed Sherwani is Chairman, President, and CEO of Rapid Silicon, which was launched in 2021. Rapid Silicon’s goal is to promote, adopt and implement open source tech to address the low- to mid-range FPGA market. Field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or integrated circuits sold off-the-shelf.He is a well-known semiconductor industry veteran with over 35 years of entrepreneurial, engineering, and management experience. He is widely recognized as an innovator and leader in the field of design automation of ASICs and microprocessors.Dr. Sherwani has founded or co-founded over fifteen silicon companies including IntelMicroelectronics Services, Open-Silicon, and others. The companies collectively have a valuation of over $4.5B.Reading Recommendations:-Talent is overrated by Geoffrey Colvin -Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela DuckworthChapters:0:00 Introduction1:30 State of the global semiconductor ecosystem13:50 US-China competition30:00 Pakistan’s potential in this space40:10 Ongoing developments in Pakistan’s ecosystem54:35 Reading recommendationsYou can read the semiconductor plan here - https://paklaunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Pakistan-National-Semiconductor-Plan-PNSP-1.pdf
In this episode, we continue our focus on Pakistan’s economic crisis and discuss the way out of it with Dr. Ahmed Pirzada. Dr. Ahmed Pirzada is an Assistant Professor at the University of Bristol, UK. He is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, UK, and the Chair of the independent Economic Advisory Group (EAG), Pakistan. He specialises in macroeconomics with a focus in monetary policy, and the conversation dives a bit deeper into what he sees as the main drivers of the crisis, the way out of it, and why debt restructuring may be a decent option.You should read the EAG’s latest press release on this at this link: https://eag.org.pk/eag-advises-debt-restructuring-and-warns-against-import-substitution-policies/Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:20 What caused this crisis?19:37 What decisions exacerbated the crisis recently?28:30 Distorted exchange rate35:21 Debt restructuring need45:30 Painful adjustments in the economy51:11 Reading recommendationsReading Recommendations:-This time is different by Carmen Reinhart and Kenneth Rogoff-Quantum Enigma by Bruce Rosenblum and Fred Kuttner-The history of western philosophy by Bertrand Russell
In the first episode of 2023, Uzair talks to regular guest Ammar H. Khan about the economic situation in Pakistan and the outlook for 2023. We talked about why the Dar Peg is so dangerous, why people keep ignoring economic fundamentals to run Pakistan’s economy, and the path forward.Reading Recommendations:- The Prize by Daniel Yergin- World for Sale by Javier BlasChapters:0:00 Introduction0:50 Current economic situation8:00 Why is the Dar Peg so dangerous?20:30 Will decent policies be made in 2023?23:28 Energy conservation plan of the PDM28:00 Bright spots in the economy37:10 Global themes to watch for40:45 Reading recommendations
In this episode, Uzair talks to Shuja Nawaz about 1971 and the events leading up to the birth of Bangladesh. Shuja talks about the political, military, and economic crisis in what was then East Pakistan, the missed opportunities to politically settle the issue, and the disastrous military strategy deployed by Yahya and his cabal.Shuja Nawaz, a native of Pakistan, was made the first director of the South Asia Center at the Atlantic Council in January 2009. He is currently a distinguished fellow at the Center.A political and strategic analyst, Mr. Nawaz writes for leading newspapers and websites and speaks on current topics before civic groups, at think tanks, and on radio and television worldwide. He was a newscaster and news and current affairs producer for Pakistan Television from 1967 to 1972 and covered the western front of the 1971 war between Pakistan and India. He is the author of The Battle for Pakistan: The Bitter US Friendship and a Tough Neighbourhood (Penguin Random House, 2019 and Rowman & Littlefield 2020), and Crossed Swords: Pakistan, its Army, and the Wars Within (Oxford University Press 2008 and 2017). Reading Recommendations:The Transformation of War by Martin van CreveldWar from the Ground Up by Emile SimpsonChapters:0:00 Introduction1:20 Why is December 16 an important day?6:20 Was 1971 the result of a political failure?17:12 Bhutto, America, and Racism36:50 Fallout of the surrender in Dhaka44:16 Have we learnt anything from 1971?48:27 What current crisis in Pakistan57:38 Reading recommendations
In this episode, Uzair talks to Yousuf Farooq about his experience running a manufacturing business in Pakistan, why free markets are the need of the hour, and the effect of government interventions in creating distortions that ultimately harm companies like his.Yousuf is the director of Elite Lighting, a company that is making products in Pakistan that are competitive in the market. He is also CEO of Oqaab Capital and has a wealth of experience in financial markets.You can follow Yousuf on Twitter @YousufMFarooqReading Recommendations:- Influence: Science and Practice by Robert Cialdini- The Most Important Thing by Howard Marks- The Dhandho Investor: The Low-Risk Value Method to High Returns by Mohnish PabraiYousuf also recommends that folks watch this talk by Charlie Munger - https://youtu.be/zNxsAhc6sk8
In this episode, our regular guest Khurram Husain joins Uzair to talk about the state of Pakistan’s economy, the status of the IMF program, why the exchange rate is under pressure, and the fight between Dar and Miftah.Khurram is a business and economy journalist and he shares his thoughts with Uzair on the outlook for the IMF program and why Pakistan’s economy is going to face more volatility in the coming weeks and months.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:10 Will Pakistan default?5:30 Exchange rate issues12:10 Afghanistan and dollar demand20:10 Where did the IMF program go south?36:40 Dar v. Miftah
In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Erum Haider about her research on Karachi's water crisis. We talk about how people in the city get access to water, how this is a regressive system, and what are the political implications of this crisis.Dr. Erum Haider is an Assistant Professor in Political Science and Environmental Studies at the College of Wooster. Dr. Haider received her PhD from Georgetown University, Department of Government in 2020. She is currently a Research Fellow at the Mahbub ul Haq Research Center in Lahore, Pakistan and a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, DC.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:30 How do citizens get their water?10:10 Regressive impact of water pricing16:10 Political impact of the crisis23:10 Is this leading to a grassroots movement?32:20 Can Karachi force Sindh government to change?43:10 How to change these structures?49:10 Reading recommendationsYou can read the blogpost about the reserach here - https://www.theigc.org/blog/line-tanker-tube-well-water-and-the-politics-of-hybrid-service-delivery-in-karachi/Reading recommendations:- Pakistan's Political Parties: Surviving between Dictatorship and Democracy by Mariam Mufti, Sahar Shafqat, and Niloufer Siddiqui- In Search of Lost Glory: Sindhi Nationalism in Pakistan by Asma Faiz- The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka
Venture capital is the fuel that powers an economy's innovation ecosystem, disrupting the old way of doing business and generating growth.In this episode, Uzair talks to Mohamed Eissa about the IFC's perspective on venture capital and the role the IFC is looking to play in Pakistan. Eissa talked about why Pakistan is an attractive market, what investments the IFC is going to make in the near-term, and why failure should be celebrated.Mohamed leads IFC’s Global Venture Capital and Direct Investments group. As a member of the investment committee, he leads a team of investment professionals in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Eastern and Central Europe, South Asia and Asia-Pacific region. IFC’s portfolio investments include venture capital funds and direct investments in disruptive startups in over 30 countries. Prior to IFC, he led technology investments at Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC) – a joint fund with equal ownership by the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries’ sovereign wealth funds. Mohamed also held operational roles in technology in the US as well as venture capital investments at Bell Labs’ New Ventures Group. Mohamed holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, and an MBA from Harvard Business School.Reading recommendations:- The Greatest: My Own Story by Muhammad Ali and Richard Durham- Deep Simplicity: Bringing Order to Chaos and Complexity by John Gribbin- A Path Forward for Sharing the Nile Water: Sustainable, Smart, Equitable, Incremental by Elfatih EltahirChapters:0:00 Introduction1:00 Global VC Outlook10:00 VC’s role in Pakistan’s economy17:55 IFC’s VC role in Pakistan26:36 How to turbocharge the tech ecosystem31:50 IFC’s investment strategy in Pakistan35:10 Innovating through failure39:40 Inclusion in entrepreneurship44:50 Reading recommendations
In this episode, Uzair talks to Marcello Estevão, who is the Global Director of the World Bank Group’s Macroeconomics, Trade and Investment Global Practice (MTI).Marcello shares his perspective about the global economic outlook, why inflation is here to stay for a while, and what countries like Pakistan can do to navigate this tricky period.Marcello leads a large team of country economists, macroeconomists, and fiscal policy, debt, and macro-modeling experts. He is responsible for overseeing the delivery of the global analytical work on macroeconomics, fiscal policy, and debt policy; for coordinating the strategic direction of MTI and implementing it; for helping to shape and oversee MTI’s country/regional programs; and for mobilizing staff to work more effectively across Equitable Growth, Finance and Institutions (EFI) and other Global Practices.Reading Recommendations:- A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean- The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway- The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money by John Maynard KeynesChapters:0:00 Introduction1:30 Where is the global economy today?10:40 How do emerging markets navigate this?16:40 Dealing with dollar debt21:40 Will inflation come down soon?27:05 Countries that have done well
The brutal murder of Arshad Sharif in Kenya has once again raised questins about free expression in Pakistan. While the details about the murder still remain murky, it is important to talk about how the state and its institutions exert influence over expression, particularly in the digital media domain.In this episode, Uzair talks to Ramsha Jahangir about digital media freedoms in Pakistan. Ramsha Jahangir is an award-winning journalist and an Erasmus Mundus scholar. Ramsha has extensively reported on the intersection of technology and human rights in Pakistan, focusing on disinformation, internet regulation, and digital politics. She is currently working at Global Network Initiative (GNI) as a senior policy and communications associate. She tweets @ramshajahangir.Reading Recommendations:- The People Vs Tech: How the Internet is Killing Democracy (and how We Save It) by Jamie Bartlett- The Death of the Gods: The New Global Power Grab by Carl MillerChapters:0:00 Introduction3:30 Ways to curb free expression10:20 Where do things go from here?16:20 Why are journalists on the periphery ignored?19:50 How different is Pakistan?25:10 What are better models in terms of policy?33:10 Policy and investment in tech38:00 Should we be hopeful?42:40 Reading recommendations
The recent comments by US President Joe Biden set off a short-lived firestorm in Pakistan, while also bringing front and center Pakistan's nuclear program and the safety of its weapons.In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Christopher Clary about Pakistan's nuclear weapons and their safety, discussing what the risks are and how Pakistan has invested in securing its nuclear weapons.Dr. Christopher Clary is an Assistant Professor of Political Science University at Albany. His research focuses on the sources of cooperation in interstate rivalries, the causes and consequences of nuclear proliferation, U.S. defense policy, and the politics of South Asia.Reading Recommendations:- Eating Grass by Feroz H. Khan- Pakistan’s Pathway to the Bomb by Mansoor Ahmed- The Limits of Safety by Scott SaganChapters:0:00 Introduction2:10 Remarks by Biden5:40 Recent developments around nukes10:10 Political instability and nuclear safety15:00 AQ Khan’s role23:20 Changes after AQ Khan33:30 Are there any concerns?39:30 Is Pakistan too big to fail?45:00 Impact of Biden’s statement on US-Pakistan relations49:30 Reading recommendations
Iran has been rocked by protests, which are currently in their fourth week. Nearly 200 people have died and thousands injured. Sparked by the brutal killing of Mahsa Amini, these protests are a sign that all is not well in the country.In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Neda Bolourchi about what is going on in Iran and the path forward for the country.Dr. Neda Balourchi is Associate Director and Post Doctoral Associate, Middle Eastern Studies Program at Rutgers University. Her research focuses on the roles of religion, race, and secularism in the formation of Middle Eastern nation-states.Reading Recommendations:- Khomeinism: Essays on the Islamic Republic by Ervand Abrahamian- Female Religious Authority in Shi'i Islam: Past and Present by Mirjam Kunkler- Staging a Revolution: The Art of Persuasion in the Islamic Republic of Iran by Peter ChelkowskiChapters:0:00 Introduction2:20 What’s going on in Iran?8:00 Underlying factors behind the protests15:30 Why are younger Iranians angry?25:00 Is the regime looking inwards?29:00 Violence in Iranian Balochistan37:30 International response47:10 Should the international community do more?54:30 What comes next?1:00:23 Reading recommendations1:07:20 Conclusion
We are back after a brief hiatus and in this episode, Uzair talks to Khurram Husain about the return of Ishaq Dar, who is already making headlines and "shouting down the dollar."We talk about what Dar's return means, the recent FX scandal casting a dark shadow over banks, and whether any political party has a serious plan to deal with the ongoing economic crisis.Khurram Husain is a business and economy journalist who most recently served as editor of Profit Magazine.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:20 What does Dar’s return mean?22:40 Restructuring Chinese debt33:30 Does the PTI have a plan?40:20 Energy security strategy43:40 The banks’ FX scandal51:00 Why is the rupee appreciating?59:20 Media’s love for Dar1:02:00 Conclusion
Over 33 million people have been affected in the 2022 floods in Pakistan. The total estimated financial cost of damages and reconstruction is estimated to be over $16 billion, and this figure is going to rise in the coming days.
In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Maira Hayat about this catastrophe, the need for solidarity among Global South countries, and the governance challenges that exist within Pakistan.
Dr Maira Hayat is an assistant professor at the University of Notre Dame. This year she's a member of the institute for advanced study at Princeton. She did her PhD in Anthropology at the University of Chicago, and a BSc. at LUMS in 2008.
Dr. Hayat conducts research at the intersection of bureaucracy, law, and the environment, drawing on ethnographic and archival methods. Her current book project is based on her doctoral dissertation, “Ecologies of Water Governance in Pakistan: The Colony, the Corporation and the Contemporary,” which won the 2019 S.S. Pirzada Annual Dissertation Prize for best dissertation on Pakistan.
Reading recommendations:
- Refashioning futures by David Scott
- Anthropology & the Colonial Encounter by Talal Asad
Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 3:30 Key events related to floods 14:00 Building global coalitions 20:40 Regional collaboration on climate change 28:00 What needs to change? 50:30 Governance v. climate change 57:30 Lack of capacity in Pakistan 1:04:40 Dual standards in international views 1:15:30 Reading recommendation
The speculative bubble around crypto and Web3 has popped, but the innovation in this sector continues. In this episode, Uzair talks to Arsalan Khan about the ongoing innovation in the sector, touching on what excites him, the state of technical talent in Pakistan, and what other jurisdictions are doing.
Arsalan had been in conventional finance for over 12 years working as a stock broker in Pakistan. He has been involved in crypto since 2017 and switched to web3 since mid 2021. He is currently working as a Research Analyst for Zignaly which is a social investment platform in the crypto space.
Reading recommendations:
- The Infinite Machine by Camila Russo
- Blockchain Wars by Evan McFarland
- DeFi and the Future of Finance by Ashwin Ramachandran, Campbell Harvey, and Joey Santoro
Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:30 What does Zignaly do? 8:30 State of the crypto ecosystem today 26:00 Digital art and NFTs 30:50 Web3 talent in Pakistan 36:20 Innovative jurisdictions in the world 39:20 Portugal’s approach to new sectors 42:40 Rule of law and innovation 46:00 Reading recommendations
Pakistan is underwater and its largest province in terms of land mass has been the hardest hit. In this episode, Uzair talks to Saad Dehwar Baloch about the current situation in the province, ongoing relief efforts, and the crisis of governance there.
If you'd like to donate to flood relief in Pakistan, please consider the following organizations:
https://www.facebook.com/wangorg/?ti=as
https://images.dawn.com/news/1190723/help-people-affected-by-the-balochistan-floods-through-these-7-relief-organisations
Sindh Education Alliance
Baloch Youth Against Corona
Saad Dehwar Baloch is a socio political activist hails from Quetta. He has a masters in International Relations from Iqra University Islamabad and his core interests are politics and governance. He has been engaged with numerous organizations since 2011 working on advocacy, pluralism, human rights, peace, education, and democracy plus former fellow with Swedish Institute, Pildat, Kettering Foundation.
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction 2:45 Current situation with the flooding 14:10 Ongoing relief work 20:30 Organizations that you can donate to 23:40 Political situation in Balochistan
Reading Recommendations:
- Musa se Marx Tak by Sibt-e- Hassan
- Mazi kay Mazar by Sibt-e-Hassan
- Tareekh aur Siyasat by Dr. Mubarak Ali
In this Urdu discussion, Uzair talks to Dr. Sajid Amin Javed about why the Pakistani rupee has been so volatile, the structural drivers of this weakness, and whether he believes the issues at hand go beyond the scope of economics.
Dr. Javed is Deputy Executive Director at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) Pakistan. Prior to joining to SPDI, he was Senior Research Fellow and Assistant Professor at Department of Economics, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE).
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction 1:45 What caused the sudden devaluation? 14:00 Impact of Afghanistan trade and stopping imports 25:20 Has anything changed structurally? 30:10 Impact of petrol subsidy 37:20 Impact of fiscal deficits on currency value 51:20 Are these economic policy issues? 1:05:00 Conclusion
Small businesses are the backbone of any economy. When they thrive, the economy grows, opportunity and jobs are created, and a culture of bottom-up innovation takes hold.
In Pakistan, MSMEs face a tough time getting access to growth capital. Karandaaz Capital is changing this and this episode dives deep into how this change is happening.
Uzair talks to Navid Goraya, who is Chief Investment Officer at Karandaaz Capital. He has over 25 years of global experience in asset management, investment strategy, product development and corporate finance. Before joining Karandaaz as the CIO, he was leading a Strategic Advisory Firm, White Oak Advisors Inc, in New York where he was involved in serving private equity funds, family offices, banks and insurance companies in support of global investments in the US, Middle East, South East Asia and South Asia.
Reading recommendations:
- People, Power, and Profits: Progressive Capitalism for an Age of Discontent by Joseph Stiglitz
- How to Avoid a Climate Disaster: The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need by Bill Gates
Where is the rupee headed? Will Pakistan default?
In this episode, Uzair talks to Shahrukh Wani about the ongoing crisis in Pakistan, why this is just the latest episode of a long-term crisis, and what needs to change to get out of this.
Shahrukh Wani is an economist at the International Growth Centre’s Cities that Work initiative based at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford. In this role, he supports evidence-based urban economic policy reforms across Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, mainly on public finance and governance. These have included collaborations with policymakers in Afghanistan, Uganda, Pakistan, and Zambia on a range of policy questions — such as on property tax design in Punjab and informal settlements in Lusaka.
Shahrukh has also co-authored a variety of policy-focused papers, including on urban governance, transport, public-private partnerships, and taxation in developing countries. He also advises public policy projects such as the UK Government’s Global Future Cities Programme.
The first episode of this year, way back in January 2022, discussed how politics will dominate the economy for the entirety of the year. In this episode, we take a look at how things have shaped up and what the path forward looks like for Pakistan’s chaotic and unstable political scene. This instability is having a disastrous impact on the country’s economy, and Uzair talks to Amber Rahim Shamsi about whether or not there is light at the end of the tunnel here.
Amber Rahim Shamsi is Director of the Centre for Excellence in Journalism at the IBA and an award-winning multi-media journalist and free speech advocate, with wide-ranging experience in television, radio, online and the print media.
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction 2:00 What’s going on with politics today? 12:00 PML-N’s declining political capital 23:00 The military establishment’s role 33:40 Role of foreign allies as guarantors 41:50 The role of incentives in reaching compromise 51:10 Is Pakistan too big to fail?
There has been a flurry of negative news regarding Pakistan's startup ecosystem, with the collapse of Airlift being the biggest story of them all.
In this episode, Uzair talks to Ali Farid Khwaja about what led to this collapse, whether this is the end of the boom, and how entrepreneurs and investors should navigate this cycle.
Ali Farid Khwaja is Chairman of KTrade Security and has over a decade of experience in the technology and financial sectors.
Energy security has been a pipe-dream for Pakistan, with the country facing numerous economic and energy crises over its history. At its core, the issue revolves around failure to tap into domestic sources of energy in a way that benefits the country's economy.
In this episode, Uzair talks to Amir Iqbal about Thar Coal and its potential to improve Pakistan's energy security. While coal is indeed a dirty fossil fuel with environmental challenges, it is a cheap source of energy for many developed and developing countries in the world. Pakistan has failed to utilize its own coal deposits, meaning that the share of coal in the country's energy mix remains miniscule. Given today's global energy crisis, it is important for Pakistan to responsibly tap into its own coal resources to produce cheap power, which is critical to promoting economic and export competitiveness. But this does not mean ignoring the environmental challenges either, and a balanced, measured approach is necessary.
Amir was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company and Thar Foundation on 8th October 2021. He has over 27 years of experience in general management and has led various teams in sales and marketing function across Pakistan, Australia, and Africa.
In his prior roles he has served as the Chief Executive Officer for Engro Agritrade, Chief Commercials Officer for Engro Fertilizer and CEO & Managing Director for Bayer Pakistan. He also served as the adjunct faculty at the Lahore School of Management Sciences (LUMS).
Reading Recommendations: - Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. by Brene Brown - The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg - Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahnemann
Access to credit is critical is fueling economic growth, especially by helping promising small businesses scale up and become more efficient. In Pakistan, however, access to credit remains a major challenge, especially because of the crowding out effect, where the financial system finds it easier and more lucrative to lend to the sovereign, which runs high fiscal deficits.
In this episode, Uzair talks to Namoos Zaheer about the link between access to private sector credit and growth. We also dive into why lazy banking makes the economic growth challenge much more complex in Pakistan, and how changing incentives and a fiscally prudent sovereign can help change the situation.
Namoos Zaheer is a Senior Financial Sector Specialist and leads the World Bank’s financial sector development initiatives in Pakistan. She has led the World Bank’s efforts in developing the housing finance market in Pakistan, including through the establishment of the Pakistan Mortgage Refinance Company. She also leads the Financial Inclusion Project which focuses on access to micro-finance and the promotion of SME finance. Her other areas of engagement are capital market development, digital finance and overall financial sector stability. Prior to this, Namoos worked in financial services in London.
Reading Recommendations:
- On Human Nature by E.O. Wilson
- State of Anxiety by Alain de Botton
Pakistan's higher education sector has been in a state of flux for a long time. From regular cuts to funding to scandals about paper mills, the story has not been great. On top of that, research funded by the HEC has not led to innovation on the commercial end, something a country like Pakistan sorely needs.
In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Tariq Banuri, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, on what ails this sector, his vision for reforms, and the path forward.
Dr Tariq Banuri holds a PhD from Harvard University and joined HEC as its fourth chairperson. He has extensive experience of working in academia, civil society and national as well as international organisations. He was the member of Steering Committee on Higher Education Reforms, the body that played a vital role in inception of HEC in 2002. He has also worked as Professor of Economics at University of Utah, USA.
Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:30 What ails higher education today? 14:10 Where does the economy need research-led innovation? 25:50 Building industry-academia collaboration 30:30 Wishlist for reforms 35:50 Reading recommendation
Reading Recommendations:
- Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig
- Dominating Knowledge Edited by Frédérique Apffel Marglin and Stephen A. Marglin
Over the course of this podcast, we have had dozens of conversations on the need to reform the economy. But while we all know the broad scope of reforms that are needed, there is not really a constituency for reforms, across the political aisle, in Pakistan.
Dr. Ahsan Iqbal, who is a senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz and is currently the Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Reform, joins us in this episode to talk about his efforts to build this constituency for reforms. To begin this process, his ministry is organizing the Turnaround Pakistan Conference, whose goal is to engage with people across the spectrum to prioritize and build consensus on these reforms.
Reading recommendations:
- The Holy Quran with translation
- Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
- The Anarchy by William Dalrymple
Political violence has been a major issue facing Pakistan's flawed and floundering democracy for decades. From Karachi to South Punjab, political actors have overtly and covertly deployed violence to gain influence, votes, and power. But why do political actors use violence to achieve these goals? And what are ways to deal with this issue?
In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Nilofer Siddiqui about political parties and violence. Dr. Siddiqui is an Assistant Professor at the University of Albany. She is also a Nonresident Fellow at the Stimson Center and a Fellow at the Mahbub ul Haq Centre at LUMS. She is author of the book Under the Gun: Political Parties and Violence in Pakistan, which examines why political parties engage in violence and the variation in violence strategies that they employ.
Reading Recommendations: - We crossed a bridge and it trembled by Wendy Pearlman - No good men among the living by Anand Gopal - Bring the war home by Kathleen Belew
A record-breaking heatwave has been wreaking havoc across the subcontinent, impact the wheat and mange harvest, setting fire to forests, and giving us a trailer of what climate change can do to our world.
In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Erum Sattar of what is the latest research showing about where the world is headed and what actions governments and individuals must take to day to reduce the likelihood of the worst-case scenarios becoming a reality.
Dr.Erum Sattar is the Program Director of the Sustainable Water Management Program and a Lecturer at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University. She is also an Adjunct Professor at the Elizabeth Haub School of Law, Pace University and has taught at Northeastern University School of Law, and the National University of Singapore School of Law where she taught the school’s first-ever course on water law and policy.
Reading Recommendations:
- Diplomacy and Capitalism: The Political Economy of U.S. Foreign Relations
- Water: A Biography by Giulio Boccaletti
- Invisible China: How the Urban-Rural Divide Threatens China’s Rise by Natalie Hell and Scott Rozelle
- Metabolical: The truth about processed food and how it poisons people and the planet by Robert H. Lustig
There is a widely-held belief that strong governments deliver reforms and sustainable growth. Research, however, shows otherwise.
In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Irfan Nooruddin about his research on this topic, based on his must-read book Coalition Politics and Economic Development: Credibility and the Strength of Weak Governments.
Dr. Nooruddin is is the senior director of the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center and the Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Professor of Indian Politics in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. Irfan conducts research in the political economy of development, trade, and investment, and the challenges of democratization in the 21st century. He is the author of The Everyday Crusade (Cambridge University Press, 2022), Elections in Hard Times (Cambridge University Press, 2016), Coalition Politics and Economic Development (Cambridge University Press, 2011) and more than thirty scholarly articles and book chapters. In 2012, he was a Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, DC., and is a Team Member of Lokniti: Programme in Comparative Democracy in New Delhi, India.
He has a PhD in Political Science from the University of Michigan and a BA in Economics from Ohio Wesleyan University. He was born and raised in Bombay, India.
You can download his book from this link: https://www.coalitionpoliticsandeconomicdevelopment.com/chapters.html
Reading recommendations:
- Political Order in Changing Societies by Samuel Huntington
- Democracy and Development by Adam Jaworski
- Scientist: E. O. Wilson: A Life in Nature by Richard Rhodes
The situation in Balochistan has been complex for decades starting with the way in which Balochistan became part of Pakistan following independence in 1947. In recent months, the insurgency there has picked pace, but many forget that there are two insurgencies roiling the province. In addition, the economic situation is dire, with citizens facing abject poverty and a continued extractive approach to economic development.
This episode is an Urdu conversation with Rafiullah Kakar, a public policy expert based in Quetta. Rafiullah writes a column for Dawn, which is a must-read. You can find his writings here: https://www.dawn.com/authors/8211/rafiullah-kakar
Reading Recommendations:
- Wretched of the Earth By Frantz Fanon
- Justice by Michael Sandel
- Islamic Exceptionalism by Shadi Hamid
- Remotely Colonial by Nina Swidler
Crypto is going through another winter with prices of all major crypto assets down sharply. There has also been the Luna collapse, which has raised a lot of questions about the future of the crypto and Web3 economy.
In this episode, Uzair talks to Salahuddin Khawaja about what's going on in the crypto economy and how is he navigating the ongoing downturn.
Salahuddin Khawaja is CEO of Hypermode, a crypto consulting firm - helping clients design, build, grow and transform in Web3.
Pakistan’s economy is spiraling out of control with the rupee hitting a record low on a daily basis. What is driving this crisis and how can Pakistan get out of this tailspin?
This episode focuses on the ongoing crisis, with Ammar H. Khan joining the podcast to offer his perspective on what is going on and the path forward. Ammar is a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council, and is the Group Chief Risk Officer at Karandaaz Pakistan, a UK FCDO and BMGF backed entity that focuses on enabling access to finance for Small & Medium Enterprises, and digital financial inclusion.
Previously, he has worked with the largest asset manager in Pakistan as a Chief Risk Officer, as well as at HSBC in varying roles in sovereign risk assessment, and credit risk. In addition, he has been a consultant to multiple energy projects, from coal mines to LNG power plants, and terminals, with an accumulated ticket size of more than US$10 billion. Having worked in projects across the energy value chain, Ammar has an in-depth understanding of the intricacies of the sector.
He tweets at @rogueonomist.
Pakistan's monetary policy has been the focus of attention over the last few years, particularly since Dr. Reza Baqir became governor in 2019. His three year tenure is up, which is a good time to assess the central bank and its performance.
In this episode, Uzair talks to Ariba Shahid, a business journalist based in Pakistan, about the highs and lows of the SBP over the last few years.
Uzair talks to Maleeha Lodhi about Pakistan's foreign policy and the repercussions of the regime change conspiracy theory.
Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi most recently served as Pakistan's Representative to the United Nations. Previously, she served as Pakistan's envoy to the Court of St James' and twice as its ambassador to the United States.
There has been a lot of talk about a foreign conspiracy in Pakistan, particularly by former prime minister Imran Khan and his followers. While this conspiracy theory is outlandish and has been debunked by many experts, Khan and his followers continue to believe it.
But is Khan really standing against up for Pakistan when it comes to pushing back against foreign powers that have exercised influenced over Pakistan over the decades? Or is this just political rhetoric?
In this Urdu discussion, Uzair talks to Dr. Ayyaz Mallick about the structural underpinnings of Pakistan's society, politics, and economy and how these structures allow foreign powers to influence the country.
Dr. Mallick is a Lecturer at the University of Liverpool and has a PhD from York University.
Reading Recommendations:
- On the Jewish Question by Karl Marx
- The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte by Karl Marx
- The Wretched of the Earth by Franz Fanon
A lot has happened in Pakistan over the last few weeks, with Imran Khan's government first creating a constitutional crisis and then losing power in a dramatic late-night vote in the National Assembly.
But what does this mean for Pakistan's flawed and floundering democracy? And how should we view this moment in time from a historical perspective?
In this episode, Uzair Younus talks to Dr. Ilhan Niaz, Head of the Department of History at the Quaid-e-Azam University, about the impact of ongoing events on Pakistan's political economy.
The COVID-19 pandemic, a once-in-a-century event, caused widespread socioeconomic upheaval in the world. In Pakistan, there were fears that the country would descend into chaos, but the country was able to navigate this crisis without realizing the worst-case scenarios. Credit for this goes to the Khan government and the NCOC, which did an excellent job coordinating the public health response to the pandemic.
In this episode, Uzair talks to Maha Rehman and dives deeper into how a data-led approach helped deal with the crisis, and how collaboration across the border in India also played a role.
Maha is a data analytics specialist and has almost a decade of experience in designing and executing evidence-based programs, products and policies to improve service delivery and impact. She has also setup the Analytics Wing at CERP that is focused on embedding data in the decisions and operations of private and public sector companies to increase efficiency, impact and profit. Prior to this, she has led research experiments at CERP and at World Bank in the fields of education, public finance and governance.
Uzair talks to Ambareen Baig about the state of Pakistan's startup ecosystem based on the findings of Invest2Innovate's recently released Pakistan Startup Ecosystem Report 2021.
Ambareen Baig is a research professional well acquainted with the startup ecosystem in Pakistan. After starting out her career as an educator, she moved on as a Fulbright scholar for a masters in Educational Psychology from the University of Arizona (UofA). Other than teaching research methodologies at the undergraduate level at her alma mater, she also served as a Global Ambassador for international students at the UofA. She has worked on youth development projects in Pakistan through the School of Leadership (SoL) where she brought two UNICEF projects to fruition while spearheading SoL’s community space, the Hangout Space. Currently, she is working at invest2innovate (i2i) as Head of Insights where she gets to do what she loves inherently - data and research. In addition to coauthoring i2i's bimonthly data driven newsletter, she has authored/co-authored several publications at i2i including Pakistan Startup Ecosystem Report (2019), COVID & its Impact on Pakistani Startups (2020), KP Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Report (2021), and more. She loves to make an impact on the startup ecosystem in the country by bringing equity to the use and dissemination of data and information.
You can find the complete report here: https://www.insightsi2i.com/pser-21
Reading Recommendations:
- Kartography by Kamila Shamsie
- Being Pakistani by Raza Rumi
- Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado-Perez
Uzair talks to Asanga Abeyagoonasekara about the ongoing political and economic crisis in Sri Lanka. Things have gone from bad to worse in the island nation, which is now suffering shortages of essential goods. Asanga explains how things spiralled out of control and the way out.
Asanga Abeyagoonasekera is Senior Fellow at the Millennium Project and an international security analyst from Sri Lanka. He has led two government think tanks providing strategic advocacy in Sri Lanka and was the Founding Director General of the National Security Think Tank under the Ministry of Defence in the country. He is the author of Sri Lanka at Crossroads.
Reading Recommendations:
- The Long Game by Rush Doshi
- On Thermonuclear War by Herman Kahn
- The Fateful Triangle by Tanvi Madan
Uzair talks to Dr. Margarita Konaev about Russia's invasion of Ukraine, what prompted Putin to invade now, and the risks of urban warfare in the heart of Europe.
Dr. Margarita Konaev is a Research Fellow at Georgetown’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET) interested in military applications of AI and Russian military innovation. Previously, she was a Non-Resident Fellow with the Modern War Institute at West Point, a post-doctoral fellow at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perry World House.
Her research on international security, armed conflict, non-state actors and urban warfare in the Middle East, Russia and Eurasia has been published by a whole host of publications, including the Journal of Strategic Studies, the Journal of Global Security Studies.
Reading Recommendations:
- A Small Corner of Hell: Dispatches from Chechnya by Anna Politkovskaya
Uzair speaks with Musadaq Zulqarnain, Chairman of Interloop Limited, the largest Textile on the Pakistan Stock Exchange.
Musadaq also serves on the board of Karandaaz, a not for profit organization promoting financial inclusion, sponsored by DFID(UKAid) and Bill Melinda Gates Foundation. He is also the President of Interloop Welfare Trust and Lyallpur Literary council.
An ardent supporter of quality affordable education, Musadaq is actively associated with The Citizens Foundation (TCF), the largest not-for-profit organization providing education to underprivileged children in Pakistan. He has served on the Board of Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development & Management Company (FIEDMC) for 6 years and also held the position of its CEO. Musadaq has also been a Member of the Board of Port Qasim Authority.
This episode is a major milestone for the podcast, so thank you to all of you for supporting and joining us in this journey.
Reading Recommendations:
- How China Became Capitalist by Ning Wang and Ronald Coase
- Mr and Mrs Jinnah, the Marriage that Shook India by Sheela Reddy
- Keep Sharp: Build a Better Brain at Any Age by Sanjay Gupta
Uzair talks to Dr. Asfandyar Mir about rising cases of terrorism in Pakistan, the emerging threat on the Afghan border, and what risks he is concerned about during this ongoing second war on terror.
Dr. Asfandyar Mir is a senior expert in the Asia Center at USIP. Previously, Dr. Mir held various fellowships at the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University. His research interests include the international relations of South Asia, U.S. counterterrorism policy and political violence — with a regional focus on Afghanistan and Pakistan. Dr. Mir’s research has appeared in peer-reviewed journals, such as International Security, International Studies Quarterly and Security Studies. He received his doctorate in political science from the University of Chicago and a master’s and bachelor’s from Stanford University.
Reading Recommendations:
-
Rise and Kill First by Ronen Bergman
-
Ordering Violence: Explaining Armed Group-State Relations from Conflict to Cooperation by Paul Staniland
Uzair talks to Aiman Bashir about her startup and the emerging edtech ecosystem in Pakistan.
Aiman is co-founder and CEO of the business and has worked at the World Bank, Nestle and Coca-Cola. In 2020.
Out-Class is a world-class EdTech platform, whose instructors hail from the world’s best institutions and have a deep-rooted passion for educating the country’s youth.
Aiman won the coveted Standard Chartered Women In Tech competition in Pakistan and became the Pakistan winner for the largest tech competition in the world, She Loves Tech Global.
Reading Recommendations:
-
Change Your Questions, Change Your Life: 10 Powerful Tools for Life and Work by Marilee Adams
-
Amy Cuddy's TED Talk - Fake it Till You Make it
-
Happiness Is a Choice by Barry Neil Kaufman
Uzair talks to Dr. Miftah Ismail, former finance minister and senior member of the PML-N, about the path ahead for Pakistan's economy. The conversation explores reform priorities, export promotion, and improving the fiscal and external sector outlook for the economy.
Uzair talks to Pramit Pal Chaudhuri about domestic and foreign policy developments in India. The conversation focuses on state elections in the country, Yogi's bid to become a national leader, India's relations with China and Russia, and Modi's outreach to Nawaz.
Pramit Pal Chaudhuri is Foreign Editor of the Hindustan Times and a Distinguished Fellow, Ananta Aspen Centre, and Foreign Editor of the Hindustan Times, the primary newspaper of the Indian capital New Delhi.
Among India’s most prominent commentators on the country’s political and economic relations with the rest of the world, Mr. Pal Chaudhuri combines this with extensive insight into the intricacies of the domestic situation in India.
Reading Recommendations:
-
The New BJP: Modi and the Making of the World's Largest Political Party by Nalin Mehta
-
The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World by Dr. S. Jaishankar
Uzair talks to Randy Bell about ongoing volatility in the energy markets, how countries like Saudi Arabia are preparing for the future, and ways in which energy importing countries like Pakistan should develop long-term strategies that enhance their energy security.
Randy Bell is the senior director of the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center (GEC), where he oversees the center’s research and programs in Washington and elsewhere, including the annual Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum in Abu Dhabi. He also serves as the co-director of the Atlantic Council’s Task Force on US Nuclear Energy Leadership and is the Richard Morningstar chair for global energy security.
Reading Recommendations:
- Sculpting in Time by Andrei Tarkovsky
- The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations by Daniel Yergin
- Freedom by Jonathan Franzen
Uzair talks to Dr. Vali Nasr about ongoing developments in the Middle East, where tensions between Iran and Gulf countries, especially the UAE and Saudi Arabia, continue to escalate. This podcast also touches on how the US should engage with the region and the ways in which Pakistan ought to navigate this quagmire.
Vali Nasr is the Majid Khadduri Professor of International Affairs and Middle East Studies at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), and a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center. He served as the eighth Dean of Johns Hopkins SAIS between 2012 and 2019 and served as Senior Advisor to U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Ambassador Richard Holbrooke between 2009 and 2011.
Nasr is the author of The Dispensable Nation: American Foreign Policy in Retreat; Forces of Fortune: The Rise of a New Middle Class and How it Will Change Our World; The Shia Revival: How Conflicts within Islam will Shape the Future; Democracy in Iran: History and the Quest for Liberty; Islamic Leviathan, Islam and the Making of State Power; Mawdudi and the Making of Islamic Revivalism; and Vanguard of Islamic Revolution: Jama'at-i Islami of Pakistan; and numerous articles in scholarly journals.
He has advised senior American policymakers, world leaders, and businesses, including the President, Secretary of State, senior members of the Congress, and presidential campaigns. He has written for New York Times, Foreign Affairs, Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post, among others.
Reading Recommendations:
-
The Shia Revival - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000U0O9FC/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
-
The Dispensable Nation: American Foreign Policy in Retreat - https://www.amazon.com/Dispensable-Nation-American-Foreign-Retreat-ebook/dp/B009Y4I9EM/ref=sr_1_1?
-
All Against All - https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/middle-east/2021-12-02/iran-middle-east-all-against-all
In this Urdu discussion, Uzair talks to historian, activist, and author Ammar Ali Jan about the Left's assessment of Pakistan's economy, the State Bank autonomy bill, and the types of reforms he would like to see in Pakistan's economy.
Ammar is author of the book Rule by Fear: Eight Theses on Authoritarianism in Pakistan, which is a must-read.
Reading Recommendation:
-
23 Things They Don't Tell You about Capitalism by Ha-Joon Chang
-
Capitalism's Crisis Deepens by Richard D. Wolff
-
China's Revolutions in the Modern World by Rebecca E. Karl
-
Violent Fraternity by Shruti Kapila
In this Urdu discussion, Uzair talks to Shahid Mehmood about a recent article he published which showed how major issues since at least the 1980s continue to plague the economy. The discussion focuses on key drivers of these issues, why policy does not change to deal with this reality, and includes updates on economic developments in the former FATA regions.
Shahid Mehmood is an economist and research fellow at PIDE.
You can read his article here - https://www.dawn.com/news/1669368
You can read the PIDE Growth Strategy here - https://pide.org.pk/Research/PIDE-Reform-Agenda-Report.pdf
Reading Recommendations:
-
Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond
-
Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco
-
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
-
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
-
Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi
Uzair talks to Ovais Zuberi, founder of Shazday Foods, about Pakistan's agriculture sector, why it is in a state of perpetual crisis, and how we can learn from the rich agricultural history of this region to reform the sector. The conversation also touches on important market access and development reforms that are needed, including farm-to-market infrastructure in the country.
Welcome to Season 3 of Pakistonomy.
2022 will be a year where politics will dominate the discourse, and rightfully so. In the first episode of this season Amber Rahim Shamsi helps us understand key things we all should keep an eye on, and how they will affect the economy moving forward.
Amber is Head of Communications at Tabadlab. She is also an award-winning multi-media journalist, with wide-ranging experience in television, radio, online and the print media. She is also an International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) and The Centre for Excellence in Journalism (ICFJ) fellow.
Reading Recommendations:
Discworld Series by Terry Pratchett Interesting Times by Terry Pratchett Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart Rule of Fear by Ammar Ali Jan Wolf Hall Trilogy by Hilary Mantel
Uzair talks to regular guest Ariba Shahid about key events in 2021 and the outlook for 2022.
This is our last episode of the year. We hope you have a safe and enjoyable holiday season with your family and friends. If you've enjoyed our podcast over the year, please rate it, share it, and spread the word.
See you in 2022!
In this Urdu discussion, Uzair talks to Dr. Kamran Bokhari about his recently-published essay titled "The Long Shadow of Deobandism in South Asia." This essay is a must-read as it provides a long history about the rise of political Islam in the subcontinent and how it has shaped Pakistan.
Dr. Kamran Bokhari is Director of Analytical Development at the Newlines Institute. Dr. Bokhari is also a national security and foreign policy specialist at the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute. Bokhari has also served as the Central Asia Studies Course Coordinator at U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Service Institute. He was a Fellow with the Program on Extremism at George Washington University (2016-18). Dr. Bokhari has also been a Senior Consultant with The World Bank since 2009. He has 15 years of experience in the private sector intelligence space during which he provided intellectual leadership in the publishing of cutting-edge geopolitical analysis & forecasts.
You can read the full essay here -https://newlinesmag.com/essays/the-long-shadow-of-deobandism-in-south-asia/
Uzair talks to Dr. Rosita Armytage about her book Big Capital in an Unequal World: The Micropolitics of Wealth in Pakistan. We talked about factions within Pakistan's elites, their worldview, morals, and perspectives about Pakistan and its political economy. The book is highly recommended if you want to learn more about this fascinating subject.
Reading Recommendations:
-
Politics, Landlords and Islam in Pakistan by N. Martin
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Political Kinship in Pakistan: Descent, Marriage, and Government Stability by S. M. Lyon
-
Anxious Wealth: Money and Morality Among China's New Rich by J. Osburg
Uzair talks to Khurram Husain, incoming editor at Profit, about the latest economic developments in Pakistan. The conversation focused on the current government's economic vision, whether or not the COVID-19 stimulus was overdone, and the underlying causes behind inflation in the country.
Khurram also shared his thoughts on the State Bank's change of decision making processes and his priorities at Profit.
Uzair talks to Mosharraf Zaidi, founder of Tabadlab, about his latest opinion column, why he is not optimistic about a change in elite behavior, and ways in which the state should deal with groups like the TLP and PTM.
Reading Recommendations are all books written by Mariana Mazzucato:
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Mission Economy: A Moonshot Guide to Changing Capitalism
-
The Value of Everything: Makers and Takers in the Global Economy
-
The Entrepreneurial State
If you like this podcast, then do check out Tabadlab's latest podcast focusing on Climate Change. Listen to Climate Mahaul using the link below or by searching for it on your favorite podcast app.
https://soundcloud.com/climatemahaul
Uzair talks to Dr. Tanvi Madan about her research paper which looks at the role of major power rivalries in the broader South Asian region. The emerging US-China rivalry and growing tensions between India and China are already having an impact on the geopolitics of the region. As this rivalry sharpens, countries in the region will have to strategize and find ways to effectively balance against these major powers in a way that maximizes the benefits they can derive in line with their own national interests. We also talked about potential areas of cooperation in the region, including climate change.
Dr. Tanvi Madan is a senior fellow in the Project on International Order and Strategy in the Foreign Policy program, and director of The India Project at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC. Madan’s work explores India’s role in the world and its foreign policy, focusing in particular on India's relations with China and the United States. She also researches the U.S. and India’s approaches in the Indo-Pacific, as well as the development of interest-based coalitions, especially the Australia-India-Japan-U.S. Quad.
Her book Fateful Triangle: How China Shaped US-India Relations during the Cold War is a must-read along with her most recent paper for CFR:
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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N8DRSQC/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_3YRDM3S9FWQ92PTE366H
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https://www.cfr.org/report/major-power-rivalry-south-asia
Reading Recommendations:
-
The Metaphysical Club: A Story of Ideas in America by Louis Menand
-
War and Peace in Modern India by S. Raghavan
-
Animosity at Bay: An Alternative History of the India-Pakistan Relationship, 1947-1952 by Pallavi Raghavan
-
The Price of Aid: The Economic Cold War in India by David Engerman
Uzair talks to Jahangir Piracha, Chief Executive Office of Engro Polymer & Chemicals, about the company's business, how its products are helping transform Pakistan's construction industry, and why a petrochemicals policy is needed to attract increased investments in Pakistan.
Jahangir Piracha is the Chief Executive Officer for Engro Polymer & Chemicals Limited. In his most recent role, Jahangir was serving as Chief Executive Officer of Engro Vopak Terminal Limited and Engro Elengy Terminal Limited since March 2017. Earlier, he served as the Chief Executive Officer for Engro Powergen Qadirpur Limited.
Prior to this, he has served as Vice President – Manufacturing, and General Manager Human Resource & Corporate Services at Engro Polymer & Chemicals Ltd. He has also previously worked as the Production and HSE Manager at Engro Fertilizers Limited. Prior to joining Engro, he has worked for ICI Pakistan Ltd.
Reading Recommendations:
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Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done by Lawrence Bossidy and Ram Charan
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Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't by Jim Collins
Uzair talks to Dr. Ammar A. Malik about his team's recent report on China's Belt and Road Initiative. The report titled "Banking on the Belt and Road: Insights from a new global dataset of 13,427 Chinese development projects" is currently the most in-depth analytical look at BRI projects around the world and is a must-read.
Dr. Malik is Senior Research Scientist at AidData, where he leads the Tracking Underreported Financial Flows program that uses pioneering methods to track and analyze underreported financial flows from non-traditional donors to developing countries.
To read the full report, click the link below: https://www.aiddata.org/publications/banking-on-the-belt-and-road
Uzair talks to Abdul Moiz Jaferii, a lawyer and host of a popular TV show on Samaa, about the legal system in Pakistan, what ails it, and why is it that justice for elites is different than justice for less privileged segments of society.
This episode also covers the impact of the lawyers' movement and ways in which the judicial system in the country can be improved.
Abdul Moiz Jaferii tweets at @Jaferii
Reading Recommendations:
- Crossed Swords and The Battle for Pakistan by Shuja Nawaz
- A Case of Exploding Mangoes by Mohammed Hanif
Uzair talks to Dr. Sanval Nasim about research that he has conducted with other academics about ways in which information may or may not build citizen trust in the state.
The working paper is available online at this link -https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/34736
Dr. Nasim is is Assistant Professor of Economics at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). His primary research field is environmental and natural resource economics. His research work includes behavioural experiments on air pollution forecasts and information based pollution mitigation interventions, optimal control modelling of water resources, and cost benefit analysis of clean technology adoption. He obtained his PhD in environmental and natural resource economics from the University of California, Riverside in 2015 and a BA in economics mathematics and in history from Colby College in 2008.
Reading Recommendations:
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Mastering Metrics by Joshua D. Angrist
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Looking Back: How Pakistan Became an Asian Tiger by 2050 by Nadeem Haque
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The Armchair Economist by Steven Landsburg
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The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Uzair talks to the co-founders of Tazah Technologies, a startup in the agriculture space that recently raised $2 million in pre-seed round. The B2B marketplace is based in Lahore and is seeking to disrupt the country's agriculture sector, which represents 24 percent of GDP.
Abrar is part of the famous "Careem Mafia", where he led operations for and executed the financial and operational turnaround for the business despite the pandemic. In his last engagement as General Manager at Swvl, Abrar helped build a strong team and developed the post covid recovery strategy for bus hailing business.
Mohsin joined Careem in 2017 as an Operations Manager where his first engagement entailed launching and scaling Ricksha category, the category now contributes to over 10% of revenue for the organisation. Mohsin’s role grew from leading a single category to managing Lahore’s P&L and eventually managing P&L for the entire Ride hailing business for Pakistan.
Reading recommendations:
- Zero to One by Peter Thiel
- Good to Great by Jim Collins
- Sapiens by Yuval Noah Hariri
In this Urdu episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Ali Hasanain about the types of corruption, how they impact Pakistan's political economy, and ways in which reform measures can be implemented to address corruption in society.
Dr. Ali Hasanain is an Associate Professor and the Head of the Economics Department at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). Dr. Hasanain’s research focuses primarily on how public service delivery can be improved through reform initiatives, particularly through technological progress and improvements in the media. He also studies how information and communication technologies (ICT) can improve market functioning.
At LUMS, he teaches courses on the economics of the media, corruption, markets, and the law. He is also the Pakistan country coordinator (and one-time participant) of the South Asian Economics Students Meet.
Reading Recommendations:
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Lincoln and the Power of the Press: The War for Public Opinion by Harold Holzer
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Public Opinion by Walter Lippmann
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The Promise of Power: The Origins of Democracy in India and Autocracy in Pakistan by Maya Tudor
Uzair talks to Akhil Bery about ongoing developments in Sri Lanka, which is in the midst of a severe economic crisis, caused in large part by COVID-19. Akhil talked about the overall political economy in the island nation, its geopolitical ties with China, India, and the United States, and what's next.
Akhil is currently Director, South Asia Initiatives at the Asia Society Policy Institute, where his research focuses on the US-India relationship and developments in South Asia more broadly. Previously, he worked at Eurasia Group, where he was responsible for the firm’s coverage of South Asia, including political and economic developments in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Prior to Eurasia Group, Akhil worked with McLarty Associates, where he led the research for the India & South Asia Team. He has also worked at Fujitsu Research Institute in Tokyo, Japan, as well as at 9.9 Media, a B2B start-up based in New Delhi.
Akhil holds a M.A. in International Business and Policy from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business and Walsh School of Foreign Service and a B.A. in History from Franklin & Marshall College.
Reading recommendations:
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The Nine Lives of Pakistan by Declan Walsh
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India at the High Table by Howard B. Schaffer and Teresita C. Schaffer
Uzair talks to Wahaj Ahmed, co-founder of Retailo, about the startup, its growth plans, and how it is looking to digitize small businesses in Pakistan's retail sector. They also talked about what it takes to excel at a startup, and how recent graduates can get their foot in the door at a startup like Retailo.
Wahaj's book recommendations are:
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Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't by Jim Collins
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Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Hussain Nadim about reforming institutions in Pakistan, why bureaucrats still use fax to send documents, and how data can be used to better inform policy.
We also discussed the evolving situation in Afghanistan towards the tail end of the episode, where Dr. Nadim shared his views on Pakistan's role in the region and what may happen next.
Dr. Nadim's reading recommendations are:
- The Conference of the Birds by Attar of Nishapur
- The Tragedy of Power by Ian Withrow
- Avoiding Armageddon : America, India and Pakistan to the Brink and Back by Bruce Riedel
- Directorate S by Steve Coll
- Fighting to the End: The Pakistan Army's Way of War by C. Christine Fair
Ariba Shahid returns to the podcast to talk about what is going on in Pakistan, including the successee of the NCOC and Ehsas Program, as well as the constant changes in the finance ministry.
The last few days have been a whirlwind for Afghanistan and its people. With the Taliban seizing control over Kabul and America withdrawing from its longest war, there are fears that regional instability will only increase in the coming days.
In this episode, Uzair talks to Fahd Humayun about what the Taliban's military win mean for Pakistan. Fahd Humayun is a PhD candidate at Yale University and frequently writes on South Asian affairs. He has recently written two must-read articles on this topic, which are a must read:
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/08/17/5-ways-talibans-takeover-afghanistan-will-hurt-pakistan/
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https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2021/8/20/us-pak-cooperation-is-more-necessary-today-than-ever-before?sf149454561=1
Fahd's reading recommendations are:
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Afghanistan and Pakistan: Conflict, Extremism, and Resistance to Modernity by Riaz Mohammad Khan
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No-Win War: The Paradox of U.S.-Pakistan Relations in Afghanistan's Shadow by Zahid Hussain
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A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
Bangladesh has had the fastest rate of economic growth during the pandemic in the subcontinent, despite the fact that its export sector has not fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels. Despite its success story, however, the country continues to face serious challenges which may upend the country's growth story.
In this episode, Uzair talks to Atif Ahmad about the Bangladeshi economy's outlook beyond 2021. Atif Ahmad is a DC-based researcher of South Asian affairs. He was born and raised in Dhaka, Bangladesh where he lived for nearly two decades prior to coming to the US to study at Rutgers University for his undergraduate degree. He is passionate about all things South and Central Asia and studied these regions while pursuing his Masters at Johns Hopkins SAIS.
Follow him on Twitter @atifjahmad.
Book Recommendations:
- Ghost Wars by Steve Coll
- Blood Telegram by Gary J. Bass
- Utilitarianism by John Stuart Mill
- Metaphysics of Morals by Immanuel Kant
Uzair talks to Omair Ansari, CEO and Co-Founder of Abhi, about the startup's mission, growth plans, and how younger folks can set themselves up to thrive in Pakistan's startup ecosystem.
Abhi is a Karachi-based salary advance platform that has recently raised $2 million in a seed round. Founded by Omair Ansari and Ali Ladhubhai Abhi enables employees to withdraw their accrued wages anytime through its web or mobile app. The product is Shariah-compliant and charges employees a small transaction fee for these advances.
Reading Recommendations:
- Siddhartha: A Novel by Herman Hesse
- The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
- Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir Eyal
This episode digs deep into Pakistan's wheat market, discussing the recent output figures, why the government wants to import additional wheat, buildup of commodity debt, and the utter lack of detailed data to help policymakers plan for a sector that has a tremendous impact on tens of millions of households across the country.
Note: Adil made an incorrect claim about a Rs 200 billion wheat subsidy for Punjab. This is the budgeted expenditure for state trading of wheat, not a subsidy. The error is regretted.
Adil Mansoor is an agricultural policy analyst who does some brilliant research for BR Research. He recently wrote about the wheat sector and the below article is a must-read for anyone who is looking to develop a detailed understanding of the sector.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40105049
If you like this podcast, please don't forget to rate, subscribe, and share with your friends and family.
Uzair talks to Azmat Khan about his banking career, which started at the BCCI in the 1970s. In the 1990s, Azmat Khan played a pivotal role in building the personal relationships that deepened Pakistan's strategic ties with the UAE, following which he helped setup and expand Bank Alfalah in Pakistan.
This conversation records the history of Khan's career, things he learnt along the way, and his views on Pakistan's own economic journey and potential.
Uzair talks to Sameer Lalwani about the evolving situation in Afghanistan, prospects for peace following the U.S. withdrawal from the country, and the role regional powers are and can play in ensuring peace and stability in the country.
Sameer Lalwani is a Senior Fellow and Director of the South Asia Program at the Stimson Center where he researches nuclear deterrence, interstate rivalry, national security decision making, crisis behavior, and counter/insurgency. He is also a term member with the Council on Foreign Relations, a Contributing Editor to War on the Rocks, a non-resident fellow with the Sigur Center for Asian Studies at George Washington University (GWU), and a 2019 National Asia Research Program Fellow.
His reading recommendations are:
- Shaping Strategy by Risa Brooks
- Inadvertent Escalation by Barry Posen
- Pakistan A Hard Country by Anatol Lieven
- Nonstate Warfare: The Military Methods of Guerillas, Warlords, and Militias by Stephen Biddle
Uzair talks to Dr. Ilhan Niaz about the structural underpinnings of Pakistan's political economy and how things are eerily similar to the way the economy functioned during the British colonial era.
This conversation focuses on Dr. Niaz's recently-published paper "Pakistan's search for a successful model of national political economy" which you can read using this link: https://www.academia.edu/47785779/Pakistans_search_for_a_successful_model_of_national_political_economy
Reading recommendations:
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Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World by Anand Giridharadas
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The Water Kingdom: A Secret History of China by Philip Ball
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Islam in Pakistan: A History by Muhammad Qasim Zaman
Uzair talks to Halima Iqbal, Founder and CEO of Oraan, a startup committed to the financial enablement of the underserved. This conversation focuses on how Oraan is digitizing committees, the barriers women face in terms of accessing formal financial services, and how Oraan is looking to scale its business to bridge the digital and financial divide.
Reading Recommendations:
- Ride of a Lifetime Robert Iger
- Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
Uzair talks to Faseeh Mangi and Samiullah Tariq about Pakistan's 2021-22 budget during this discussion. Participants on Twitter also share their comments, questions, and insights about the budget and what they liked and / or didn't like about it.
Pakistan's vibrant media landscape has been facing increasing curbs in recent years. From attacks on journalists to forcing media outlets to not cover certain issues, the media industry is facing unprecedented pressures.
In this episode, Uzair talks to Wajahat Khan about how the media industry operates, its structural weaknesses, and how overt and covert influence is exerted to force journalists and outlets to toe a certain line.
Wajahat Khan is Nikkei Asia’s Digital Editor in New York City, reporting on Indo-Pacific security. A graduate of the Columbia University School of Journalism and the University of Michigan, Wajahat has reported from 16 countries covering conflict, diplomacy, politics and media for digital, cable and network news, on and off camera.
An Emmy-nominee for producing breaking news, Wajahat was bureau chief in Afghanistan and Pakistan for NBC News for most of the last decade, and covered South Asia for The Times, India Today and leading Pakistani networks. He has also authored the 2019 Amazon sports bestseller, “Game Changer: Being Shahid Afridi.”
Reading Recommendations:
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Neuromancer by William Gibson
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The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy
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The Battle for Pakistan: The Bitter US Friendship and a Tough Neighbourhood by Shuja Nawaz
If you like Pakistonomy, then check out Dragon Road, a new Tabadlab podcast covering China's growing global influence. Dragon Road is hosted by Arif Rafiq and season one is out now. Click the link below to listen to the first episode:
https://soundcloud.com/tabadlab-dragonroad/s01-e01-how-china-does-aid
Uzair talks to Isfandiyar Shaheen about making internet access a reality for all and why this can have a transformative impact on communities around the world. Isfandiyar also shares his perspective on blockchain and cryptocurrencies, including how this emerging technology is transforming how business can be conducted.
Isfandiyar is Founder & CEO of NetEquity Networks, an infrastructure sharing start-up based in San Francisco. NetEquity has established a partnership with Facebook and is focused on building open access fiber optic networks in collaboration with electric utilities. Prior to this, Isfandiyar helped create a tower co in MENA region called Towershare (acquired by edotco - 2017). In addition, Isfandiyar served as Director on the boards of two publicly traded companies, Engro Corporation and Engro Foods (51% acquired by FrieslandCampina - 2016). Isfandiyar graduated from Franklin and Marshall College with a degree in Economics and Mathematics.
Reading Recommendations:
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Sapiens by Yuval Noah Hariri
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The Three-Body Problem (Trilogy) by Liu Cixin
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A Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
In this episode, Uzair talks to Ovais Zuberi, founder of Shazday Foods, which is doing some fantastic work in Gilgit-Baltistan. This conversation focuses on the potential of agribusiness in the country, how this potential can be fully realized, and the good, bad, and the ugly about doing business is Pakistan.
You can check out Shazday on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ShazdayCo/
Reading recommendations are:
- The Lean Startup by by Eric Ries
- The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau
- Muslim Zion by Faisal Devji
May 10-16 is mental health awareness week and Uzair hosted Dr. Aisha Sanober Chachar to talk about mental health and illness. Dr. Aisha talked about why paying attention to mental health is important, issues people typically face, especially women and children, and how we can improve both our own mental health and support those around us that may need help.
Dr. Aisha Sanober Chachar is a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and former Medical Director at Alleviate Addiction Suffering (AAS) Trust & AAS Recovery Center, Pakistan, and currently working with the pediatric population.
Dr. Chachar is a graduate of ISRA University, Hyderabad. She completed her adult psychiatry residency at Aga Khan University. She has worked at a faculty position at the Department of Psychiatry, Aga Khan University. At the same time, the Office of Dean of Students, Aga Khan University, Karachi, jointly appointed her as a College Psychiatrist. In 2020, she completed her second fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
She serves as a peer reviewer for national and international academic journals. She has authored several academic papers and book chapters. She is a member of the WPA (World Psychiatry Association) Early Career Psychiatrist Committee, IACAPAP Early Career Psychiatrist Task Force, UK Balint Society, and an International Member of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP).
Her book recommendations are:
- Civilized to Death: The Price of Progress by Christopher Ryan
- When Nietzsche Wept by Irvin D. Yalom
- The Psychoanalysis of Career Choice, Job Performance, and Satisfaction by Paul Marcus
Uzair talks to Naila Naqvi, founder of Pie in the Sky, about her entrepreneurial journey and keys to success. Pie in the Sky is a well-known bakery in Karachi in Hyderabad, with over 20 branches, employing over 400 people.
Naila's book recommendations are:
- Animal Farm by George Orwell
- Novels by Jane Austen
In this episode, Uzair talks to World Bank economists Alen Mulabdic and Gonzalo Varela about their recent research, which shows that Pakistan's export potential stands at $60+ billion. This discussion talks about how this potential can be realized and some of the actions that the Pakistan government is already taking to grow its exports.
You can read Gonzalo'r thread documenting the research findings here - https://twitter.com/gonwei/status/1379381149169037316?s=20
Book Recommendations:
- The Great Convergence
- Mostly Harmless Econometrics
- The Great Reversal
Uzair talks to Maha Rehman about what the data tells us regarding the economic toll of the pandemic on Pakistani households. Maha is a Data Analytics Expert with almost a decade of experience in designing and executing evidence-based programs, products and policies to improve service delivery and impact.
Previously, she has set up the Analytics Wing at CERP that focused on embedding data in the decisions and operations of private and public sector companies to increase efficiency, impact and profit. Prior to this, she has led research experiments at CERP and at the World Bank in the fields of education, public finance and governance.
She has designed curriculum and taught policymakers, bureaucrats and data practitioners at various programs in the USA and Pakistan. Besides using data analytics for policy and program reform, her research interests include energy economics, education and law & governance. She also teaches at LUMS and currently a Director Data-Led Policy Reforms at MHRC.
You can read the article detailed Maha's findings here - https://mhrc.lums.edu.pk/pakistan-dialogues/covid-19-pandemic-economic-burden-in-pakistan.html
Reading Recommendations:
- The Practice of Adaptive Leadership by Ronald A. Heifitz
- Nudge by Richard H. Thaler
- Learning from Others by Syed Babar Ali
Uzair talks to Dr. Shahida Wizarat about the structural underpinnings of Pakistan's economy and why the country has gone from being a role model to a basket case.
Dr. Shahida is Dean at CESD, Institute of Business Management. She has authored three books, The Rise and Fall of Industrial Productivity in Pakistan (OUP), Fighting Dependance: Proclaiming Sovereignty for an Enslaved Pakistan (LAP) and Fighting Imperialism: Liberating Pakistan (CRS). She has authored more than 70 research papers published in international and national journals and newspapers. Dr Wizarat has been visiting faculty at the Naval Staff College, Air War College, Command and Staff College and National Defence University.
Reading Recommendations:
- The New Confessions of an Economic Hit Man by John Perkins
- China’s Model of Development—Lessons for Pakistan by Ambassador Syed Hasan Javed
Uzair speaks to Dr. Sara Saeed Khurram and Dr. Iffat Zafar Aga, the co-founders of Sehat Kahani. In this discussion we talked about the startup, which has recently raised $1 million in a funding round, its growth strategy, and what it is like to be a female founder of a startup in Pakistan.
Sehat Kahani is an all-female health provider network including that is working to create quality health care solutions for communities where health access, quality, affordability of health care is still a dream, using cost effective ICT enabled solutions. Sehat Kahani has impacted over 1.5 million people globally with its telemedicine platform.
Dr. Iffat Zafar is the Co-Founder and Chief Operations Officer for Sehat Kahani, a telemedicine startup based in Pakistan. She did her medicine from Ziauddin Medical University and currently. She is a Commonwealth scholar for her ongoing Masters in Global E-Health from University of Edinburgh. She is the MIT Elevate Prize Winner (2020), She is also the GCC Innovator (2020) for her work in telemedicine with the support of GCC. She was recently featured by Microsoft4Africa 2020 for the women led success stories in South Asia. She has been a winner of the GSMA Accelerator (2018-19), & a Good Fund Fellow 2017-18.
Dr.Sara Saeed Khurram has over 5 years of experience in the field of Digital health care as the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Sehat Kahani. She has won notable awards such as the Rolex Awards 2019 as Ass. Laureate, TIAW Award, CRDF Global Awards, Ashoka Change makers, ISIF Asia, The Unilever Sustainable living Young Entrepreneurs Awards, The Unicef- Global Goal Campaigner Award 2016 and Arpatech Young Entrepreneurs Award 2017 for her work. She is also a Cartier Awards finalist and the first frontier Innovator from Pakistan.
Reading Recommendations:
- Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
- The Alchemist by Paul Coelho
- Muhammad by Karen Armstrong
- 40 Rules of Love by Elif Shafak
- The Blue Sweater by Jacqueline Novogratz
In this episode, Uzair talks to regular guest Ammar Khan about the proposed amendments to the SBP Act. They talked about whether giving autonomy to the SBP will lead to bankruptcy, how inflation is a major issue that needs resolution, and what the process ought to be in order to pass this legislation through parliament.
This is episode is in Urdu so that a wider audience can understand why Pakistan's economy cannot maintain high rates of growth over long periods of time. To understand the reasons for this, Uzair spoke to Dr. Sajid Amin Javed, who is a Research Fellow and heads Policy Solutions Lab at Sustainable Development Policy Institute [SDPI] Pakistan.
Prior to joining to SPDI, he was Senior Research Fellow and Assistant Professor at Department of Economics, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE). Dr. Sajid’s research is located at the cutting edge of interdisciplinary inquiry of issues related to structure of economic growth and sustainable development. This entails a focus on monetary policy, particularly exchange rate and financial policies, and their socioeconomic implications. Largely, he is macroeconomist with focus on social content in macroeconomic policies.
Reading Recommendations:
- Money Interest and Prices by Don Patinkin
- The Political Economy of Underdevelopment by S. B. D. de Silva
- Human Actions by Ludwig von Mises
Since the onset of the pandemic, the BJP government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pushed forward a whole host of reforms, including much-needed changes to India's farm laws. Farmer protests, however, have caused many to focus on the everything but the core components of these reforms and what they seek to achieve.
In this episode, Uzair spoke to Sadanand Dhume about India's economic reforms and what he calls Modinomics 2.0. Sadanand is a South Asia columnist for the Wall Street Journal and covers South Asia's political economy and business affairs. He has worked as a foreign correspondent for the Far Eastern Economic Review in India and Indonesia and was a Bernard Schwartz Fellow at the Asia Society in Washington, D.C.
Reading Recommendations:
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Politics and the English Language by George Orwell -- https://www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-foundation/orwell/essays-and-other-works/politics-and-the-english-language/
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Tilak and Gokhale: Revolution and Reform in the Making of Modern India by Stanley Wolpert -- https://www.amazon.com/dp/0195623924/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_0Y00WHS55MR3GXGT56N8
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Pakistan: A Hard Country by Anatol Lieven -- https://www.amazon.com/dp/1610391454/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_E1Q9KHZ5HTJXA0W70N3J
There is systemic exclusion of women in Pakistan's economy and the drivers of this systemic exclusion are poorly understood by most. In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Hadia Majid about the role of women in Pakistan's economy and the unique and diverse challenges they face in the country.
Dr. Hadia Majid is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics & Director at the Saida Waheed Gender Initiative at LUMS. She is a a Fulbright Scholar and holds a PhD in Development Economics from The Ohio State University. Her research agenda is focused on labor markets in Pakistan where she documents and explores the barriers to women’s labor supply and their access to decent, empowering work.
Reading Recommendations:
-
Bargaining with patriarchy by Deniz Kandiyoti
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The status of women: Conceptual and methodological issues in demographic studies by Karen Mason
-
A Treatise on the Family by Gary Becker
Bykea is one of Pakistan's startup success stories that raised $13m in the middle of a pandemic.
In this episode, Uzair talks to Rafiq Malik, the startup's Chief Operating Officer, about the business and its growth plans.
Rafiq's book recommendations are:
-
A Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0060883286/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_4SZ51RF4EPHP991P332J
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The Ascent of Money by Niall Ferguson - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0143116177/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_0JXTYBT31JFMK9E91Q17
Uzair talks to Pramath Sinha about Harappa Education, an education startup offering the foundational skills critical to achieve professional success and personal meaning.
Pramath is a trailblazer in many different fields, including education. He served as the Founding Dean of Indian School of Business (ISB), which just got ranked as the best business school in India and #23 in the world, according to the Financial Times. He is also one of the founders of Ashoka University.
Book Recommendations:
The Story Of My Experiments With Truth by Mahatma Gandhi - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KJ048MM/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_W6MF9R63ZQZ1SC20ZMBD
The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004JHYRYU/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_8FE5PTD005CWS1REJZV7
In this special episode, Uzair talks to Zarrar Khuhro about a whole host of issues, focusing on the rise of illiberal populism around the world.
Zarrar is a co-host of the show Zara Hat Kay which airs on Dawn News and writes a weekly column for Dawn.
Uzair talks to Jarrar Shah about his startup 24Seven.pk, an online Grocery Shopping platform based in Lahore.
The 24SEVEN journey started from his farm when he painfully found out how he was getting no premium for growing graded, good quality produce in the off season and consequently decided to create an alternative marketing channel for farmers that would enable them to bypass the middle men.
His book recommendations are:
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Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose
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Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
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Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder
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Skin in the Game
Uzair Younus talks to Dr. Aparna Pande about her new book "Making India Great: The Promise of a Reluctant Global Power. The episode covers a wide range of topics related to India, including domestic politics, economic nationalism, the country's foreign policy, and its relations with Pakistan.
Dr. Aparna Pande is Director of the Initiative on the Future of India and South Asia at the Hudson Institute, Washington D.C. Her major field of interest is South Asia with a special focus on India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Foreign and Security Policy.
Born in India, Pande received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in History from St. Stephens College at Delhi University before receiving an M. Phil in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University. She completed her Ph.D. in Political Science at Boston University in the United States.
Dr. Pande's book recommendations are:
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The Lessons of History by Will Durant - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NB19GRS/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_A46B96W3D9FN93FEGQK4
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The March of Folly by Barbara Tuckman - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00589AYWW/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_FFJPDTDMJGYN29KYSPVX
Uzair talks to Raza Rumi about the state of media in Pakistan and the role of Nayadaur in bringing alternative perspectives into the discourse. Raza Rumi Director, Park Center for Independent Media and teaches in the journalism department; a visiting lecturer at the Cornell Institute for Public Affairs. He is also the Founding Editor of Nayadaur Media, a bi-lingual progressive digital media platform. He is also a visiting lecturer.
Raza's recommended the following books:
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Masvani by Rumi
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The Art of Loving by Erich Fromm
-
Aag Ka Darya by Qurratulain Hyder
Pakistan finally has a digital payments system and this development is going to revolutionize financial transactions in the country. It will also accelerate the formalization of the economy, increase financial inclusion, and catalyze the growth of fintech startups in the country.
Uzair spoke to Rehan Akhtar, Chief Digital Officer at Karandaaz Pakistan, about Raast and its potential.
This week's book recommendation:
- The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell.
A book that I recently read complements this excellent recommendation:
- Upstream: How to Solve Problems Before They Happen by Dan Heath
In the first episode of 2021, Uzair talks to Hasaan Khawar about why it is difficult to push through bureaucratic reforms, why Prime Minister Khan accepting his government's mistakes is something that should be appreciated, and his theory of change.
Hasaan also shared three books that have profoundly interested him:
1) The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1443456624/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_oVDaGb2HNARQA
2) Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Hariri - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062316095/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_vXDaGb5AXWMBG
3) Directorate S: The C.I.A. and America's Secret Wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan by Steve Coll - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1594204586/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_1WDaGbR7E74XJ
In the final episode of 2020, Uzair talks to frequent guests Ammar Khan and Ariba Shahid about how 2020 turned out for Pakistan's economy, unresolved issues, and the outlook for 2021.
Thank you to all of you for tuning in this year. I will be taking a break for the next couple of weeks and a new season of the show will be back in early January, 2021.
Uzair Younus talks to a Bangladesh-based economist about the keys to Bangladesh's economic transformation.
Syed Yusuf Saadat, Senior Associate at the Center for Policy Dialogue, is an economist with deep expertise is in assessing economic policies and has done research for several international organizations, including the UNDP.
Yusuf is also co-author of the book titled “Youth Employment in Bangladesh—Creating Opportunities, Reaping Dividends” published by Palgrave Macmillan.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought the global economy on its knees, leading to mass unemployment and a dramatic slowdown in economic activity. The Indian economy, which was already showing signs of weakness before the pandemic, has now entered a recession.
At the same time, concerns over India's illiberal turn, its refusal to enter trade agreements, and poor implementation of flagship programs have led some to argue that India is missing a once in a century opportunity.
Uzair Younus spoke to Aman Thakker about these developments, asking his guest about why Narendra Modi's BJP continues to be the dominant force in politics despite the economic woes.
Aman Thakker is an Adjunct Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He writes a weekly newsletter called Indialogue, which is a must-read for anyone interested in following political, economic, and foreign policy developments in India.
Pakistan's exports have been a chronic issue and in the last few years, an overvalued exchange rate dramatically accelerated the decline in the country's exports.
But exchange rate is only one of several issues that have made Pakistan's exports uncompetitive. In this episode, Uzair Younus spoke with Dr. Gonzalo Varela about why Pakistan's exports have fared poorly and how this can be changed.
Dr. Gonzalo Varela is a Senior Economist in the Macroeconomics, Trade and Investment Global Practice of the World Bank. He is currently based in Islamabad, where he leads the trade program. Previously, he worked in the World Bank’s Global Trade Unit in Washington, in the Ministry of Industries of Uruguay, and in the private sector.
He also taught in the University of Sussex, the University of Pisa, and the University of Trento. His work focuses on how trade and investment policy affect firms’ performance, and it has been published in peer-reviewed journals, books and reports. He holds a PhD in Economics from Sussex.
In this special episode, Uzair Younus speaks to Farieha Aziz about the new social media rules that have been approved by the government. These rules have raised serious objections from ISPs, digital rights activists, journalists, and other organizations in Pakistan. Uzair asked Farieha why this has caused an uproar and the potential impact of these rules on free expression in Pakistan.
Pakistan is about to experience another winter of gas shortages. Meanwhile, the LNG sector continues to cause confusion among citizens, with baseless claims of corruption and backroom dealings sowing doubt among many in Pakistan.
In this episode, Uzair Younus talks to Laure Baynes Clarke about the LNG sector, how it operates, and its potential in Pakistan.
Laure is a General Manager and part of Shell’s global leadership team that manages its global LNG portfolio. She comes with a wealth of experience in the business, in trading and origination for LNG, she has led teams that have bought and sold LNG, managed arbitrations, price reviews and supported companies and countries across multiple geographies that have looked to develop their capabilities to bring in LNG. As part of her current role she is responsible for the LNG Trading strategy.
Interestingly, she has a long history with Pakistan, having been moved there as an infant, she did her schooling in Karachi and has had the opportunity as an adult to work in Pakistan and visit often with personal and work commitments.
Fintech has played an important role in promoting financial inclusion, formalizing the economy, and accelerating economic growth around the world. Pakistan, however, has struggled in efforts to ensure that a significant part of the country's population has access to formal financial services.
To talk about how this ecosystem is being developed in the country, Uzair Younus spoke with Nadeem Hussain, Founder of Planet N. He also founded Tameer Micro Finance Bank, Pakistan’s first private sector microfinance bank and is someone who has played a key role in promoting financial inclusion in Pakistan.
Millions of dollars a year are made in collecting, sorting, and recycling waste across Pakistan. But this sector remains largely informal, leading to a whole host of issues, including the use of child labor, sexual abuse and exploitation, and criminality. Ahmad Shabbar is someone who has been on a mission to change the way the system works in Karachi. He is the Founder and CEO of GarbageCAN, an organization providing comprehensive waste management to several schools, festivals, and businesses; recycling management to established restaurants; and enable to households to recycle via our door-to-door program. We have also introduced an Adopt-A-Spot Program via, which groups or individuals can adopt areas they want to be cleaned for a specified period of time.
Uzair spoke to Ahmad about this sector, how the system currently functions, and why a city like Karachi does not have a robust solid waste management program. You can read the World Bank report Ahmad referred to using the link below:
https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/immersive-story/2018/09/20/what-a-waste-an-updated-look-into-the-future-of-solid-waste-management
Uzair Younus talks to Ammar Khan and Shahrukh Wani about the latest FBR data which shows that markets in Karachi - Jodia Bazar and Saddar in particular - pay significantly more in income taxes than markets in the rest of Pakistan. Despite that, Karachi has poor infrastructure and public service delivery.
The guests share their views of why this is the case. You can read the article written by Ammar Khan on this topic here - https://www.samaa.tv/money/2020/09/karachis-saddar-jodia-bazaar-pay-more-tax-than-lahore-islamabad-markets/
In this Urdu discussion, Uzair Younus talks to Ahmed Majid Warraich, a Faisalabad-based entrepreneur in the agriculture sector. Uzair talked to Ahmed about the reasons for higher food inflation, his experience in modernizing farms, and what needs to be done to uplift this sector which employs almost 40 percent of Pakistan's labor force.
Ahmed is currently growing Sugarcane, Wheat, Maize and various orchards. He has converted around 100 acres of his land to drip irrigation – all powered through Solar power and has completely automated the drip through automation technologies. Ahmed is a staunch advocate of sustainable agriculture and renewable energies for viable food sources. He is the Director of IRDC (Integrated Renewables Development Company) and HortiVenture Private Limited - aiming to bring sustainability and indigenous renewable sources to agriculture and beyond.
The Role of Dynasties and Caste in Politics
In a previous episode of the podcast, Dr. Adil Najam made a very important point that underneath all divides in Pakistan is the class divide. That is a very important point and one could argue that this divide is anchored by the caste divide in the country, particularly in Punjab and Sindh. However, both caste and class are absent from the daily political and economic discourse in the country.
To talk about this issue, Uzair hosted Dr. Hassan Javid, who is an Associate Professor of Sociology at LUMS. He has done phenomenal research on democratization and the relationship between class, power, and the state.
We spoke about why dynastic politics remains popular in Pakistan, why caste is missing from political discourse, and the path ahead for Pakistan's political evolution.
The War on Free Expression
In recent weeks, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has been on a banning spree. However, the issue is structural and the powers being used by the PTA were given to it through PECA, a legislation passed in 2016 by the PML-N government.
In this episode, Uzair Younus speaks with Farieha Aziz about the war on free expression in Pakistan, Digital Pakistan and its future, and what message is being sent to international investors and technology companies by the actions of the PTA.
Farieha Aziz is a Karachi-based, APNS-awardwinning journalist. She is a co-founder and Director at Bolo Bhi. She has a masters in English literature. She worked with Newsline from July 2007-January 2012 and taught literature to grades 9-12. She served as an amicus curiae in a case filed in the Lahore High Court in 2013, challenging the ban on YouTube, and is currently a petitioner on behalf of Bolo Bhi in a case filed in the Islamabad High Court challenging government's censorship on the Internet and the powers of the regulator.
Food inflation is breaking the back of households in Pakistan. Despite repeated warnings about a food crisis, the government has been unable to control rampant inflation.
The price of wheat and flour has been rising at a rapid pace. To understand what is going on, Uzair talked to Adil Mansoor, who has deep insights about the wheat market and how it functions.
Gas Crisis Update - Urdu
In this special Urdu discussion, Uzair speaks with Ammar Khan about the ongoing gas crisis and the recent cargos being bought by Pakistan. The price is now higher than the long-term Qatar contracts signed by the PML-N government and Uzair asked Ammar to explain what that means.
What's Going On, Pakistan?
Ariba Shahid returns to Pakistonomy to talk about recent developments in the country.
We talked about PTA bans, inflation, gas shortages, business optimism, and much more. This is a break from our usual in-depth conversations, which will return next week.
Many people within and outside Pakistan often say that if only Pakistan had a stronger narrative, the country would do much better. But the reality is much, much different.
In this discussion, Uzair Younus spoke to Ejaz Haider about his recently published article in The Friday Times, titled Selling the Narrative. Ejaz Haider is Executive Editor at Indus News and was the News Editor at The Friday Times.
Uzair and Ejaz talked about why the issues facing Pakistan need to be addressed by addressing root causes, rather than arguing that better marketing and branding can get the job done.
You can read the full article here - https://www.thefridaytimes.com/selling-the-narrative/
Uzair Younus has a wide-ranging conversation with Dr. Adil Najam about polarization, generational shifts in Pakistan, climate change, and much more.
Dr Najam needs no introduction. He is the inaugural Dean of the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University which was founded in 2014 with a generous gift from BU alum Frederick S. Pardee. He is also a Professor of International Relations and of Earth and Environment. Earlier, Prof. Adil Najam served as Vice Chancellor of the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) in Lahore, Pakistan and as the Director of the Boston University Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future. In addition to Boston University, Prof. Najam has taught at MIT and at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University. His research focuses on issues of global public policy, especially those related to global climate change, South Asia, Muslim countries, environment and development, and human development.
Karachi is already facing power shortages due to supply constraints of gas. Prime Minister Imran Khan has warned of another crisis in the winter months of this year and the next. And as expected, the issue has fallen victim to partisan politics.
To talk about this issue from a non-partisan perspective, Uzair spoke to Samiullah Tariq, Head Of Research And Development - Pakistan Kuwait Investment Company.
At the heart of the issue is the price of natural gas and for as long as the price doesn't reflect the cost of the commodity, we will continue to face issues in the gas sector. Additionally, the government needs to encourage people to switch from gas-powered stoves and heaters to electric ones, as they are not only more efficient, but can help ease the growing household demand for natural gas.
The world is quickly moving towards renewable energy sources. In Pakistan, less than 5 percent of the country's energy comes from renewable energy (excluding hydro power). To talk about how the country can promote renewable energy and whether ending the grid as we know it is feasible, Uzair Younus spoke to Shazia Khan.
Shazia Khan is the CEO of EcoEnergy, an environmental lawyer, and off-grid energy expert. She began her career as a consultant with the World Bank, working with the Global Environment Facility and Africa Energy. Prior to that, Shazia worked at Pakistan’s National Development Finance Corporation, facilitating long term financing for energy projects.
We often hear about the unity of the ummah and how that drove progress. But this idea is poorly, if at all, understood by most people. The reasons given for the rise and fall of Muslim civilization often do not meet the test of history and rigorous analysis.
In this episode, we are going to try to understand the causes of its dramatic rise and sustained decline.
To help us understand this complex topic, Uzair Younus spoke to Dr. Ahmet T. Kuru Professor of Political Science at San Diego State University. Dr. Kuru is the author of the fantastic award-winning book Islam, Authoritarianism, and Underdevelopment: A Global and Historical Comparison and his works have been translated into Arabic, Bosnian, Chinese, French, Indonesian, and Turkish.
You can purchase his book on Amazon using this link - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07S9DBZ1R/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
Understanding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
Conversations around the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in mainstream media end up in a “are you a patriot” or “are you a traitor” binary. There is no doubt about the fact that Pakistan has doubled down on its strategic relationship with China in recent years: Prime Minister Imran Khan recently saying in an interview that Pakistan’s future is tied to China.
But what is CPEC all about? And how does it fit into China’s overall regional and geopolitical ambitions?
To talk about this, Uzair Younus invited Dr. Tayyab Safdar, a Post-Doctoral Researcher at the University of Virginia’s Department of Politics and East Asia Center. His research investigates the effects of increasing Chinese investment in infrastructure projects on economic development in countries located along the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
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Pakistan is facing a pension crisis which is straining the country’s fiscal resources. In a recently published article for Business Recorder, Ali Khizar wrote that pension spending has gone from “Rs 164 billion in FY 11” to “Rs988 billion in FY21.”
To talk about this crisis, Uzair Younus spoke to Ali Khizar and discussed what is going on and why it is important that Pakistan prioritize pension reforms.
If you are interested in diving deep into this topic, read Ali Khizar’s articles below:
Defusing the pension bomb - https://www.brecorder.com/news/40013934
How pension turned into a bomb - https://www.brecorder.com/news/40014859
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Ethnic cleavages have created unique challenges for Pakistan's political economy since 1947. Since the passage of the 18th Amendment, the conversation has changed substantially.
To talk about how these issues affect Pakistan's political system and its economy, Uzair Younus spoke with Dr. Farhan H. Siddiqi. Dr. Siddiqi is an Associate Professor at the Quaid-e-Azam University in Islamabad and has done in depth research on ethnic issues in the country.
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Stocks Make a Comeback (Urdu)
The KSE-100 has been rallying in recent weeks, increasing optimism among investors about the prospects of Pakistan's economy. While the stock market is not fully indicative of the real economy, it provides us with insights about where the economy is headed and the sentiment among investors.
To talk about this ongoing rally, Uzair Younus spoke with Bilal Moon. They talked about whats driving the recent momentum, why foreign investors have been net sellers, and what retail investors should do to maximize their long-term returns.
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Renegotiating Power Contracts (Urdu)
Uzair speaks with Ammar Khan about the government's successful negotiations with IPPs and what it means for Pakistani consumers.
If you want to dive deeper into this topic, listen to the podcast Uzair hosted with Ammar on the power sector:
https://soundcloud.com/tabadlab/pakistonomy-episode-15-pakistans-power-sector
Pakistan has been able to successfully flatten the COVID-19 curve and that has had a positive impact on the economy, with some key indicators turning positive over the last few weeks.
Uzair Younus spoke with Ariba Shahid, a business journalist at Profit by Pakistan Today, about this nascent recovery. We also spoke about Karachi's governance challenges, Punjab's chief minister, and her predictions for the next 3-6 months.
Views expressed in this video are personal and do not reflect the employer’s views.
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India’s Growth Story: Astute Planning or an Accident?
Shankkar Aiyar is a political economy analyst, columnist, and the author of several books, including Accidental India: A History of the Nation's Passage Through Crisis and Change, which is a must-read for anyone who wants to fully understand what it took for India to push through transformative structural reforms.
Uzair talked to him about India's reforms, why crises are an opportunity for pushing change, and how COVID-19 creates new opportunities for India and other emerging markets.
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Careem has transformed mobility in Pakistan and around the world and Junaid Iqbal played a key role in making that possible. In this episode, Uzair Younus talks to Careem's former MD about how the startup was able to succeed, his views on Pakistan's digital payments ecosystem, and a whole lot more.
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A Conversation with Shuja Nawaz
Shuja Nawaz is author of The Battle for Pakistan: The Bitter US Friendship and a Tough Neighbourhood. This book is a fascinating account of Pakistan's troubled relationship with the United States and is based on detailed interviews with key US and South Asian leaders, access to secret documents and operations, and the author's personal relationships and deep knowledge of the region.
In this discussion, Uzair talks to the author about recent developments in Pakistan, how Pakistan should navigate the US-China confrontation, and what Pakistan needs to do to transform itself from being a problem that must be managed into an opportunity that benefits its people, South Asia, and the rest of the world.
If you are interested in learning more about Pakistan's role in the War in Afghanistan, you should read his book The Battle for Pakistan: The Bitter Us Friendship and a Tough Neighbourhood.
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Airlift recently raised $10m in a funding round and has set its sights on transforming Pakistan’s mobility landscape. By provided affordable, safe, and comfortable rides to its users in major cities, the startup is making a big impact. It has also entered the grocery business and its promise to deliver goods to households within 45 minutes is going to fundamentally disrupt e-commerce in the country.
To learn more about the startup’s vision and its growth plans, Uzair spoke to Saba Abid, who is General Manager at Airlift. This was a wide-ranging discussion that includes tips about what younger people need to do in order to be successful entrepreneurs or succeed at a company like Airlift
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Rethinking Humanity, published by the think-tank RethinkX is a fascinating read that talks about how major technological shifts in key sectors such as agriculture and energy are about to usher in a new age for humanity.
The authors of the book argue that humanity is at a crossroads, but not for reasons most would assume. Based on historical analysis, they predict that this is not another Industrial Revolution but something far more fundamental.
In this episode, Uzair Younus talks to one of the co-authors of the book, James Arbib, who is also the co-founder of RethinkX.
You can read the book here - https://www.rethinkx.com/humanity-download
James also recommended the following books for those interested in learning more about how we got to where we are as a civilization:
-
Why The West Rules--For Now: The Patterns of History and what they reveal about the Future (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004ASNG04)
-
Guns, Germs and Steel: The Fate of Human Societies (https://www.amazon.com/Guns-Germs-Steel-Fates-Societies/dp/0393354326)
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The Pakistan International Airlines has found itself in the news yet again, starting with the tragic crash of the flight 8303 in Karachi. Since then, issues about fake pilots, the sale of the Roosevelt hotel owned by the PIA in New York, and systemic issues plaguing the airline have been the talk of town.
To talk about the reasons for PIA’s decline and how the airline could be reformed and restructured, Uzair Younus spoke with Dr. Musharraf Rasool Cyan, who is the former CEO of the PIA and is no stranger to both the internal and external issues that plague the airline.
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Many of us have a surface-level understanding of rural Sindh and its political economy. Feudalism, lack of land reforms, and elite capture are often bandied out as catch-all issues that plague not only Sindh, but many parts of rural Pakistan. But the reality is far more complex and the foundational issue in the political economy of rural Sindh, and rural Pakistan in general, is the lack of property rights.
To talk about rural Sindh and its political economy, Uzair Younus invited Dr. Mujtaba Isani as a guest on the podcast. Dr. Isani is a political scientist with a PhD in Political Science from the University of Muenster. He is currently an Assistant Professor of International Relations at the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) in Saudi Arabia. Formerly, he was an Assistant Professor of Politics and Policy at the Habib University in Karachi.
Dr. Isani recommended some books during this discussion:
https://press.princeton.edu/…/9780…/designing-social-inquiry
https://www.amazon.com/Rethinking-Social-Inqui…/…/074251126X
https://www.amazon.com/Statistical-Methods-Soc…/…/0130272957
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Distance learning became the norm after COVID-19 shutdown schools all over the world. In Pakistan, where access to quality education is challenging for millions of households, edtech startups are beginning to change the status quo. Edkasa is one such startup and it has embarked on a mission is to provide easy access to quality education to Pakistan's youth to enable them to take full advantage of future opportunities.
In this episode, Uzair Younus talks to Annum Sadiq about Edkasa and the edtech sector in the country.
Annum is Co-founder and Chief Education Officer of Edkasa. She is also a 2016 Fulbright scholar, 2017 Education Pioneers Graduate Fellow, and Rockefeller Foundation Fellow. Annum leads the education delivery at EDKASA and provides support on curriculum design and live lecture delivery for the online platform. She has ten years of experience with education policy in Pakistan and the United States, in the Chelsea Public School District, at USAID, and as a World Bank consultant in the Punjab Education Sector Reform Programme.
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The 2020-21 Budget comes at a time when Pakistan is reeling from the coronavirus pandemic. The last year saw the economy enter a recession, with growth coming in at -0.38 percent. For the coming year, the government is projecting the economy to grow by about 2 percent and expects revenues to grow by a significant amount.
To talk about the budget and what it means, we decided to reverse roles for this episode. Shahab Siddiqi from Tabadlab moderates this discussion with Uzair Younus, who shares his views and insights about the economic survey and 2020-21 budget.
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Many people view the informal sector as corrupt, illegal, and detrimental to the country’s economic well-being. The reality, of course, is more complex. In fact, some argue that the informal sector is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy.
In this episode, Uzair Younus talks to Dr. Ali Kemal about Pakistan's informal sector and its implications on the country's economy. Dr. Kemal is an Economic Policy Advisor at the SDG Support Unit, Ministry of Planning Development and Reform. He has co-authored a detailed analysis of Pakistan’s informal economy in a paper titled “Exploring the Determinants of Underground Economy of Pakistan” which was published by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics.
You can read his paper using this link - https://www.pide.org.pk/…/Working%20Pa…/WorkingPaper-163.pdf
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Dr. Erum Khalid Sattar talks to us about Pakistan's colonial past and its impact on the water economy, why mega-dams will not solve the country's water, and the need to strengthen the institutional software governing the country.
Pakistan's civilian institutions have been in decline since independence. In this episode, we talk to Dr. Ilhan Niaz, Associate Professor of History at the Quaid-e-Azam University, about the impact of this decline on Pakistan's political economy.
The Reko Diq case has been a long, drawn out saga where Pakistan faced penalties of almost $5.9 billion. To talk about this case, the overall role of international arbitration, and the path forward for Pakistan, Uzair spoke to Marike Paulsson. Marike is one of the foremost experts in the field of international arbitration and is Vice President of the Global Legal Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution.
Cricket is perhaps the greatest unifying force in Pakistan and in its early years, the Pakistan Super League has had a transformative effect on the cricketing landscape in the country.
In this episode, Uzair talks to Shoaib Naveed, Project Executive of the Pakistan Super League, about the PSL's business model, the path to profitability for franchises, and what's in store for the future.
Uzair talks to Ammar H. Khan, an energy economist, about Pakistan's power sector, the power industry report and its findings, and reforming the country's power sector.
Uzair talks to Dr. Miftah Ismail, former finance minister of Pakistan and member of the PML-N about COVID-19 and its economic impact, structural reforms, and the path ahead for Pakistan.
Uzair speaks with Ali Khizar, Senior Consultant at Business Recorder, and M. Adil Mansoor, an Agriculture and Water Policy Analyst. The episode looks at the causes behind the sugar and wheat crises and why both markets need to be de-regularized to prevent yet another crisis in the future.
Uzair talks to Hammad Rana about Pakistan's real estate sector, what's holding it back, and how it can play a key role in boosting Pakistan's economic growth. Hammad leads Colliers International Pakistan's Sales, Leasing and Investment Advisory teams. In his role, he works extensively with multi-national corporates, institutional investors, banks, hotel operators and developers on projects across Pakistan.
Uzair and Shehzad Ghias (host of The Pakistan Experience) talk about COVID-19 and its impact on the economies of both the US and Pakistan. If you haven't listened to The Pakistan Experience, do check it out on your favorite podcast app!
Uzair talks to Erum Haider, Maheen Rehman and Mosharraf Zaidi about the economic impact of the Corona Virus in Pakistan.
Uzair talks to Dr. Khalid Ikram about South Korea's economic miracle and what Pakistan needs to do to change its economic trajectory. Dr. Ikram has worked for the Pakistan Planning Commission and the World Bank, and was awarded the Korean President's medal for services to Korean development.
Uzair talks to Dr Afiya Shehrbano Zia about the future of women in Pakistan, their economic empowerment, and the importance of movements like the Aurat March.
The Politics of Reforms.
Uzair talks to Dr. Umair Javed about tax and bureaucratic reforms and how politics in the country is responsible for reduced impetus for reforms in Pakistan.
In this episode, Uzair speaks with Naurin Muzaffar about why Pakistan's textile sector has failed to keep up with Bangladesh, what Pakistan can learn from Bangladesh, and what needs to change in Pakistan.
In Episode 05, Uzair speaks with Kalsoom Lakhani, Founder and CEO of Invest2Innovate, about Pakistan's startup ecosystem, its evolution, and advice for young entrepreneurs.
In Episode 04, Uzair speaks with Dr. Atif Mian about why Pakistan keeps going back to the IMF, why the country’s economy keeps going from one crisis to another, and what he would do if he was the economic czar in the country.
In episode 3, Uzair talks to Bilal Moon, who has been working in the equity markets for over a decade about Pakistan’s financial markets, how it works, and how they can be taken to the next level.
In our second episode, Uzair talks to Mehvish Arifeen, co-founder and COO of GharPar. We talk about GharPar’s mission and vision, Pakistan’s start-up ecosystem, and her journey as a woman entrepreneur.
About GharPar: GharPar is a social enterprise that provides timely, convenient and professional at-home beauty services to its female clients through a web and mobile based solution. The start-up also enables women to be economically self-sufficient, and the company has gone from having 6 beauticians and 200 customers in 2016 to over 150 beauticians and 30,000 customers today.
Check it out at www.gharpar.co!
The first episode of Pakistonomy, a podcast in which Uzair Younus will discuss the state of Pakistan's economy with key stakeholders in the rate of growth, the degree of stability and the manner in which political economy shapes the lives of ordinary Pakistanis.
Episode 01: Khurram Husain
Khurram Husain is a leading business and economy journalist in Pakistan, based out of Karachi. He has taught at the prestigious Lahore University of Management Sciences in the past. He writes a widely read column in Dawn, Pakistan’s leading English language newspaper and in television has been a contributor to the BBC, providing short features on economic issues as well as appearing as an analyst for English and Urdu language services.
Ivan Rasmussen of NYU Shanghai appears on Tabadlab Live to explain the rise of China, how it got to where it is today, and how it plans to continue to get where it wants to be tomorrow.
Ivan Rasmussen bio: https://shanghai.nyu.edu/academics/faculty/directory/ivan-rasmussen
Recorded on March 21, 2019, in Islamabad.
Parag Khanna, author of "The Future is Asian" appears on Tabadlab Live to explore how the coming years and decades will look, sound and feel distinctly "Asian". He invites his readers to look beyond current narratives about China, the impact of urbanization and how commerce, conflict, and culture in the 21st Century will be shaped by Asia.
Parag Khanna bio:
Recorded on January 10, 2019, in Islamabad.
- Hina Rabbani Khar, former Foreign Minister of Pakistan
- Mohammad Sadiq, former Pakistani ambassador to Afghanistan
- Joshua White, former White House staff under the Obama National Security Council
appear on Tabadlab Live to discuss the prospects for peace in Afghanistan, the emergence of the dialogue lead by Zalmay Khalilzad, and the hopes for successful detente between the Taliban and the US.
Recorded on December 13, 2018.