🇵🇰 Pakistan Episodes

Dr. Ilhan Niaz is a Historian and a Professor at Quaid-e-Azam University.  Dr. Ilhan joins us on this deep dive podcast to discuss why the Civil Service has not been reformed in Pakistan, why the Pakistani state continues to be colonial, the struggles Pakistan has faced in making a state, the Pakistani elite, and 'sahab' culture.  Why has the Pakistani civilian bureaucracy not developed?  Should Karachi be an independent administrative unit?  Who the main beneficiaries of the status quo?  Do we need an alternative to CSS?  Find out this, and more on this week's episode of The Pakistan Experience.  The Pakistan Experience is an independently run podcast.   Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thepakistanexperience  And Please stay in touch: https://twitter.com/ThePakistanExp1 https://www.facebook.com/thepakistanexperience https://instagram.com/thepakistanexpeperience   The podcast is hosted by comedian and writer, Shehzad Ghias Shaikh. Shehzad is a Fulbright scholar with a Masters in Theatre from Brooklyn College. He is also one of the foremost Stand-up comedians in Pakistan and frequently writes for numerous publications. He can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tinder.     https://www.facebook.com/Shehzadghias/ https://twitter.com/shehzad89  Chapters: 0:00 Why is the Pakistan civil service not good? 8:00 Why has our Civilian Bureaucracy not developed? 14:30 Is the Bureaucracy not letting imran Khan work? 18:30 CSS Officers using social media 24:00 What is the legacy of the 'sahab' culture? 29:00 Mughals, colonialism and wealth extraction 51:00 Why was the Muslim League not decolonial? 59:00 The loosely connected federation of states model for South Asia 1:06:00 1857 War of Independence 1:12:00 Did Pakistan ever stop being "colonial"? 1:20:00 Why is the Pakistani elite not loyal to Pakistan 1:30:00 Is the status quo even interested in creating a Pakistan for all? 1:46:00 The 1971 KLF session 1:53:00 Main beneficiaries of the status quo 1:57:00 Zia ul Haq and PSDP 1:59:00 Karachi as an administrative unit 2:04:00 Ayub and Nehru Defence Pact 2:07:00 How can the civil service be reformed? https://instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikh

International listeners can support TBT here: https://buy.stripe.com/14keVU54r5hQ55S000 Be part of our community by joining our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thoughtbehindthings In conversation with Faizan Sameer, this episode discusses his journey. How has his journey from high school to football been? How did he start working incorporate? How did he end up working for Eighteen? What’s the issue of football in Pakistan? Why there are no leagues in football in Pakistan? What is the solution to Pakistan's football crisis? Where is he going for the UEFA course? What work has he done before his marriage? How did he find hosting a live television show? How did he get into drama acting? Is he going to make media a bigger part of his life from now on? How is he managing his relationship with Waliya while in the spotlight and much more? Connect with us: • https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings • https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan Faizan’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faizan.sameer/ Support our podcast: https://anchor.fm/syed-muzamil-hasan-zaidi3/support You can also audio stream our podcast on the following platforms: • Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3z1cE7F • Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/2S84VEd • Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3cgIkfI

Nadeem Haque is the Vice Chancellor of PIDE, he was the Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Dr. Nadeem comes on to a live episode of The Pakistan Experience where we debate what the concerns of Development should be - is there any point to development that is not human centric? Does anyone still believe in trickle down economics anymore? What is the boomer-millennial debate?  Ending with a surprising debate on Colonialism!  The Pakistan Experience is an independently run podcast.   Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thepakistanexperience  And Please stay in touch: https://twitter.com/ThePakistanExp1 https://www.facebook.com/thepakistanexperience https://instagram.com/thepakistanexpeperience   The podcast is hosted by comedian and writer, Shehzad Ghias Shaikh. Shehzad is a Fulbright scholar with a Masters in Theatre from Brooklyn College. He is also one of the foremost Stand-up comedians in Pakistan and frequently writes for numerous publications. He can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tinder.     https://www.facebook.com/Shehzadghias/ https://twitter.com/shehzad89 https://instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikh

International listeners can support TBT here: https://buy.stripe.com/14keVU54r5hQ55S000 Be part of our community by joining our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thoughtbehindthings In conversation with Humna Raza, this episode discusses the journey of Muzamil Hasan. What was the thought behind starting TBT? Where was Muzamil in his life exactly a year ago, before the beginning of TBT? How consistently Muzamil has been on TBT? Which episode is Muzamil’s favorite of TBT? How is TBT helping Muzamil to sustain? How balanced is Muzamil’s life and much more? Do not forget to subscribe and press the bell icon to catch on to some amazing conversations coming your way! Connect with us: • https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings • https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan Humna’s Insta: https://www.instagram.com/humnaraza/ Inspire Me Insta: https://www.instagram.com/pvoinspireme/ Support our podcast: https://anchor.fm/syed-muzamil-hasan-zaidi3/support You can also audio stream our podcast on the following platforms: • Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3z1cE7F • Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/2S84VEd • Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3cgIkfI 

Ahmad Rafay Alam is one of the leading Environment Lawyers in Pakistan and teaches at LUMS.   Rafay Alam comes on the podcast to discuss the law, climate change, the need of the hour, the efficacy of our Environmental Protection Agencies, Dams and what we can do to save the world!   The Pakistan Experience is an independently run podcast.   Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thepakistanexperience    And Please stay in touch: https://twitter.com/ThePakistanExp1 https://www.facebook.com/thepakistanexperience https://instagram.com/thepakistanexpeperience    The podcast is hosted by comedian and writer, Shehzad Ghias Shaikh. Shehzad is a Fulbright scholar with a Masters in Theatre from Brooklyn College. He is also one of the foremost Stand-up comedians in Pakistan and frequently writes for numerous publications. He can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tinder.     https://www.facebook.com/Shehzadghias/ https://twitter.com/shehzad89 https://instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikh Chapters: 0:00 Why is it so hot in Karachi 1:00 Climate Change vs Global Warming 5:00 Climate Change Skepticism 10:00 The role of the United States 18:50 The responsibility of the Developing Countries 27:00 Renewable energy vs the Thar Coal Project 33:00 What makes you hopeful that we will change our behaviour? 36:00 Shehla Zia 38:30 Pakistan's obsession with giant Dams 47:00 Companies using ground water 54:00 The financial value of water 1:03:00 Davos kay harami 1:12:00 Attabad Lake as a tourist destination 1:14:28 Billion Trees 1:16:00 Recycling Industry 1:19:00 Walton Airport and the Kalwa Chowk nursery 1:21:40 EPAs and EIAs 1:28:00 World Bank Projects 1:32:00 Urban Ravi Development 1:39:00 Regulations on Pakistani Industry 1:43:00 Conclusion

International listeners can support TBT here: https://buy.stripe.com/14keVU54r5hQ55S000 Be part of our community by joining our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thoughtbehindthings In conversation with Hassan Aslam, this episode discusses his journey. How did he get into Law? How was his experience at Harvard? Why he chooses the gulf instead of Pakistan? What is currently working for? What’s the update on the Reko Diq case? What has he advised the Prime Minister on the issue of Kashmir? Why is it important to establish a proper media setup? What’s his thought on the legal system of Pakistan? While criticizing Pakistan why do we go anti-state? How does he see the fall of India? How does he see the Pakistan of 2050? Do not forget to subscribe and press the bell icon to catch on to some amazing conversations coming your way! Connect with us: • https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings • https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan Hassan’s LinkedIn: https://om.linkedin.com/in/hassan-aslam-shad-06686489 Support our podcast: https://anchor.fm/syed-muzamil-hasan-zaidi3/support You can also audio stream our podcast on the following platforms: • Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3z1cE7F • Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/2S84VEd

International listeners can support TBT here: https://buy.stripe.com/14keVU54r5hQ55S000 Be part of our community by joining our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thoughtbehindthings In conversation with Ijlal Khattak, this episode discusses his journey. What path does he take for his higher education? What life lessons did PMA teach him? How did he end up dropping out from PMA? What path did he take after dropping out from PMA? What did he do after completing his studies at TMUC? Why is a passion more essential than scope? How did they get started with Baydaar? Why did he choose the name Baydaar Travels for his company? How did he get in touch with Waliya Najib? How did he feel about his losing encounters with Baydaar and much more?

Michael Kugelman is the Deputy director  of the Asia Program, South Asia senior associate  at The Wilson Center and writes for the weekly South Asia brief at Foreign Policy magazine.  Michael comes on the podcast to discuss the recent take over of Afghanistan by the Taliban, and what it could mean for South Asia.  Did India lose in Afghanistan?   What all did the US get wrong?   Will Pakistan be able to exert control over the Taliban or will we see a rise in TTP?   Find out this, and more, on this week's episode of The Pakistan Experience, as Michael Kugelman and I, take a deep dive on Afghanistan, the Taliban, China, The Belt and Road initiative, Pakistan, TTP, India, and attempts to isolate Pakistan on the international stage.   The Pakistan Experience is an independently run podcast.   Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thepakistanexperience    And Please stay in touch: https://twitter.com/ThePakistanExp1 https://www.facebook.com/thepakistanexperience https://instagram.com/thepakistanexpeperience    The podcast is hosted by comedian and writer, Shehzad Ghias Shaikh. Shehzad is a Fulbright scholar with a Masters in Theatre from Brooklyn College. He is also one of the foremost Stand-up comedians in Pakistan and frequently writes for numerous publications. He can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tinder.     https://www.facebook.com/Shehzadghias/ https://twitter.com/shehzad89 https://instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikh Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:00 Did America lose itself on 9/11? 4:30 Will Afghanistan now become a terrorist sanctuary? 12:00 Is instability in Afghanistan in the US's interests? 15:50 How interested is China in Afghanistan? 22:30 Will China care about human rights in Afghanistan under the Taliban? 26:35 Will the Taliban support the TTP and terrorism in Pakistan? 31:00 Why did the Pakistan state support the Taliban? 35:50 What will India's role now be in Afghanistan? 40:00 Will the West pour in aid under the guise of humanitarianism?  44:30 Taliban's economic policies and governance  51:10 Is there any truth to the Taliban 2.0 narrative? 54:20 Think tanks 57:00 What all did the US get wrong about Afghanistan? 1:03:00 Did the US sell the Afghan Government down the river with the Doha accord? 1:07:00 Will India be able to isolate Pakistan on the international stage? 1:11:24 Will India benefit from the US-China rivalry? 1:14:00 Pakistan as an emerging market 1:18:30 Are Indian or Pakistani trolls worse? 1:21:20 Conclusion

Zarrar Said is the author of Pureland. Zarrar comes on The Pakistan Experience to discuss his book, prejudices and the commercial industry of writing books.

International listeners can support TBT here: https://buy.stripe.com/14keVU54r5hQ55S000 In conversation with Raoof Hasan, this episode discusses the current interim government of Afghanistan. What regional peace institute is? What’s his take on Afghanistan’s interim government? How are China and USA seeing the current government of Afghanistan? Why is Qatar supporting Afghanistan? Where does he visualize the economy of Afghanistan going? How important is the Afghan-led solution? On what thing Afghanistan can rely on to generate wealth? Are regional countries having a stake in Afghanistan’s peace? What is Iran doing with Afghanistan from the perspective of Afghanistan? What is India’s angle in Afghanistan? In his opinion, are we going towards the new cold war? Is it true that the US had no knowledge how the Taliban took control on the ground? How does he see the Pakistan of 2050? Connect with us: • https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings  • https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan Raoof Hasan’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/RaoofHasan  Support our podcast: https://anchor.fm/syed-muzamil-hasan-zaidi3/support   You can also audio stream our podcast on the following platforms:  • Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3z1cE7F  • Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/2S84VEd  • Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3cgIkf

International listeners can support TBT here: https://buy.stripe.com/14keVU54r5hQ55S000 Be part of our community by joining our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thoughtbehindthings  In conversation with Ammar Habib Khan, this episode discusses his journey. As Chief Risk Officer, What does he do? How did he get into risk management?  From where he did his masters? Why do individuals become illegal immigrants? Why have travel vivas become such a horrible experience? Was he working while studying in Europe for his masters? What are the characteristics of Coal of Thar, Pakistan? Is solar cheap or coal? What is the work of Karandaaz ? Why regulations are made anti-consumers in Pakistan. What makes Raast so efficient? Why has Digital Addoptation has become so difficult in Pakistan? Why haven't the new companies been able to adopt QR codes? How does he envision Pakistan in 2050? #thoughtbehindthings #muzamilhasan #onlinebanking Connect with us: • https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings  • https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan Ammar's LinkedIn: https://pk.linkedin.com/in/ammarhabib  Support our podcast: https://anchor.fm/syed-muzamil-hasan-zaidi3/support   You can also audio stream our podcast on the following platforms:  • Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3z1cE7F  • Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/2S84VEd  • Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3cgIkfI 

Syed Muzamil Shah is an anchor, journalist and analyst.  Muzamil comes back on the podcast to discuss the repercussions of the Single National Curriculum, the growing Talibanization of Pakistan, American imperialism and neoliberalism.  The Pakistan Experience is an independently run podcast.  Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thepakistanexperience  And Please stay in touch: https://twitter.com/ThePakistanExp1 https://www.facebook.com/thepakistanexperience https://instagram.com/thepakistanexpeperience  The podcast is hosted by comedian and writer, Shehzad Ghias Shaikh. Shehzad is a Fulbright scholar with a Masters in Theatre from Brooklyn College. He is also one of the foremost Stand-up comedians in Pakistan and frequently writes for numerous publications. He can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tinder.   https://www.facebook.com/Shehzadghias/ https://twitter.com/shehzad89 https://instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikh Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:20 Single National Curriculum  11:00 Appeasing the extremist mindset 17:30 The Taliban have changed and Pakistan's role 27:00 Talibanization of Pakistan 36:00 Barelvi Extremism and TLP 41:00 Using nationalism to control people 46:30 Will Imran Khan be Prime Minister again? 51:00 Shahbaz Sharif and PDM 54:30 Financial Establishment 58:30 ZAB 1:02:40 Neoconservativism, Neoliberalism and the radical left 1:08:30 American Capitalism, Slavery and the American revolution 1:34:00 Left vs liberal policies 1:48:00 Arguing with trolls online and CSS 1:51:00 Simping for the state on Youtube and media restrictions 1:57:30 Spirituality

International listeners can support TBT here: https://buy.stripe.com/14keVU54r5hQ55S000 Be part of our community by joining our Facebook group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/thoughtbehindthings    In conversation with Ibrahim Arbab, this episode discusses his journey. What did he do after Highschool? How did he fight the notion of nepotism given to him by his father's position? What does the CSS go through after graduating from the academy? What was his first posting? What is the job description of an AC officer? How was his experience in Sindh like? Are there any places in Sindh which have tourism potential? How many AC officers are there in Sindh? How the field of crime is not related to CSS DMG officers? Should the cities grow vertically or horizontally? In terms of DMG, What is its growth path? Should the CSS officers use social media? Do civil servants really serve in Pakistan? How does he see Pakistan around the time of his retirement?   #thoughtbehindthings #muzamilhasan #CSS Connect with us:  • https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings   • https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan   Ibrahim Arbab's Insta: https://instagram.com/ibrahimarbab?utm_medium=copy_link

International listeners can support TBT here: https://buy.stripe.com/14keVU54r5hQ55S000 Be part of our community by joining our Facebook group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/thoughtbehindthings    In conversation with Areeba and Noor, this episode discusses their journey. What are they studying currently? When did they begin to start using Instagram? Have they ever made money from Google Ads? How journaling changed Areeba's and writing changed Noor's life? When was their point of blowing up on social media? What is their average breakdown of audience Instagram? Is art inherit in them? How did Noor self-published her book? When is Noor publishing her second book? What is Areeba up to these days? At this point in time, how do they identify themselves?  Do they plan to become fashion blogging? How do they deal with creative block? How do they use Pinterest for inspiration? How would they see themselves 10 years from now onwards?  How do they see the poetry of music? In the next 10 years, what impact do they want to generate?  #thoughtbehindthings #muzamilhasan #yesterdayiwasmoon Connect with us:  • https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings   • https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan  Areeba’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohareeba/   Noor’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noor_unnahar/

International listeners can support TBT here: https://buy.stripe.com/14keVU54r5hQ55S000 Be part of our community by joining our Facebook group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/thoughtbehindthings    In conversation with Umer Munawar & Zain Bhatti, this episode discusses his journey.  How did their journey go from High school to Banking? Why did they decide to name their company Finja? How Zain ended up in Finja? How long did it take for them to convince the regulators? Why do our commercial regulators don't take risks? When did zain get to know the importance of online banking? How was the experience of zain through few career switches? What's the vision of Finja? What is the thought behind the fintech business?  Since they are not like conventional banks, where does their capital come from? Does the Finja input cycle has a limit? How did covid affect Finja? How do works Finja works and much more.   #thoughtbehindthings #muzamilhasan #finja Connect with us:  • https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings   • https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan  Finja Twitter: https://twitter.com/FinjaPvtLtd?t=mtk_ibWz_HZ5oItbhnaBAw&s=08

International listeners can support TBT here: https://buy.stripe.com/14keVU54r5hQ55S000 Be part of our community by joining our Facebook group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/thoughtbehindthings  In conversation with DJ Toshi, this episode discusses his journey. How did he get his start as a DJ? What was his first exposure to music? What is his academic background?  How did he react when he was hit by Covid-19? How did he get into production?  What role did his buddies have in his career? How did he test out his desi touch in music? Why are bands unable to operate in Pakistan? His experience with Annural Khalid? How important is the practice of sharing between parents and children? How did he know the partnership with Annural was a success before it ever began? How did the BIBA come to be? How was his first international show in Dubai and much more?   #thoughtbehindthings #muzamilhasan #biba Connect with us:  • https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings   • https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan  Toshi Insta: https://www.instagram.com/toshaayy/

International listeners can support TBT here: https://buy.stripe.com/14keVU54r5hQ55S000 Be part of our community by joining our Facebook group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/thoughtbehindthings In conversation with Daktar Saab, this episode discusses his journey. Where did he graduate from? How is his experience in the content industry like? What he did after completing MBBS? What is the thought Behind Daktar Saab? Why do doctors are so inclined towards USMLE? What is his take on NLE? How does he see the evolution of content creation in Pakistan? How does the Post-Covid constant anxiety on social media feel like? How the concept of "Equalize Privilege and All Will Rise" cannot function? How does contentment go the long way around? Where does he stand in relation to the political axis? What role does a lack of communication have in poor comprehension? What is the relationship between religion and declining mental health issues? Connect with us: • https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings • https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan Daktar Saab: https://www.youtube.com/c/DaktarSaab

International listeners can support TBT here: https://buy.stripe.com/14keVU54r5hQ55S000 Be part of our community by joining our Facebook group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/thoughtbehindthings    In conversation with Jehad Zafar, this episode discusses what is his academic background? What was his first employment? When did he start YouTube?  How long has it been necessary for him to begin to create content and sustainable money? What's the rationale behind his firm doing at this time? In his context, what's going on in Afghanistan? What was the purpose of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit to Uzbekistan? What is the current state of affairs in Afghanistan about America and China? The Taliban are sitting on $1 trillion worth of minerals that have yet to be discovered. What is the narrative behind it? What is Iran's narrative in the context of Afghanistan? How is the nationalist government destroying India?  #thoughtbehindthings #muzamilhasan #thewideside Connect with us:  • https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings   • https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan   The Wide Side: https://www.youtube.com/thewideside

Hashmat Moslish is a Journalist, Independent Analyst, Former Senior Producer at Al Jazeera, and advisor to the former President of Afghanistan, Burhanuddin Rabbani.  Hashmat joins us on the podcast to contextualize the rise of Taliban in Afghanistan. We get into a deep discussion on how the Taliban managed to take over the entire country so swiftly, where all did the US policy fail in Afghanistan, what does the future look like and what role should Pakistan play.   The Pakistan Experience is an independently run podcast.  Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thepakistanexperience  And Please stay in touch: https://twitter.com/ThePakistanExp1 https://www.facebook.com/thepakistanexperience https://instagram.com/thepakistanexpeperience  The podcast is hosted by comedian and writer, Shehzad Ghias Shaikh. Shehzad is a Fulbright scholar with a Masters in Theatre from Brooklyn College. He is also one of the foremost Stand-up comedians in Pakistan and frequently writes for numerous publications. He can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tinder.   https://www.facebook.com/Shehzadghias/ https://twitter.com/shehzad89 https://instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikh Chapters: 0:00 Contextualizing and Historizing the rule of the Taliban 24:00 Early Taliban vs the new young Taliban 32:00 Very difficult to attack the Panjshir Valley 34:30 Are the old Taliban commanders unconnected to what is happening in Afghanistan? 43:40 Western Media doesn't understand Afghanistan 50:00 Liberalism and Islam 1:02:00 International Politics: Iran, Pakistan, Saudia Arabia and Afghanistan 1:08:30 Will Taliban accept money from anywhere? 1:14:00 The relationship of Afghanistan and Pakistan 1:20:00 The "Taliban" state 1:25:40 The role of China  1:31:00 Islamic State in Afghanistan 1:34:00 What can Pakistani people do to help Afghans?

International listeners can support TBT here: https://buy.stripe.com/14keVU54r5hQ55S000 Be part of our community by joining our Facebook group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/thoughtbehindthings    In conversation with Zenab Rauf, this episode discusses what does she think of Pakistan's fashion industry? When did she start YouTube? What is her reason for taking a break from YouTube? Were they ready for the arrival of their child? What was Hassan's initial reaction when he saw his child? Did she immediately stopped YouTube after Ahad’s birth? What are their strategies for dealing with preconceptions about their child? How do they intend to raise their son? Do our boys act on their emotions? Did their child's social mobility suffer as a result of being a pandemic baby?  #thoughtbehindthings #muzamilhasan #zenabrauf Connect with us: • https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings  • https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan  Zenab Rauf’s socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zenabvlogs/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/zenabrauf