Thought Behind Things
TBT is Pakistan's fastest-growing podcast show covering conversations around Art, Culture & Technology. Tune in thrice a week to be a part of our community! We upload every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Episodes
He Predicted the Crypto Crash 5 Years Ago. (Here is What Happens Next) ft. Ahmad Manzoor | TBT Podcast
Is the internet dying? With AI bots and "slop" projected to make up 99% of web traffic, the need for verified, authentic data has never been more critical. In this episode, Ahmad Manzoor returns to the Thought Behind Things podcast to reveal how Blockchain is secretly fixing the AI data crisis, the evolution of NADRA's digital identity system, and what the global push for Central Ban
How an FSc Student Used "Free Work" to Charge $2,500 for SaaS Animations ft. Badar Munir | TBT Podcast
Can a beginner with zero technical background actually make thousands of dollars using AI? In this episode of Thought Behind Things, I sit down with Badar Munir, founder of Aghaaz and one of Pakistan's top AI educators, to break down the exact roadmaps, workflows, and client acquisition strategies working right now.Join the Inner Circle, my weekly letter on AI, building, and being early to wha
The Sugar Mafia: The Biggest Financial Scam in Pakistan's History | Dil ki Baat
Why is Pakistan growing a crop that causes diabetes, consumes 17% of our water, and brings in zero dollars? In this episode of Dil Ki Baat, I expose the dark reality of Pakistan's Sugar Mafia, the elite political families controlling the agriculture sector, and why the salaried class is forced to foot the bill while billionaires pay almost zero tax.Article 1: https://weeklycuttingedge.com/cott
They Are Lying About Pakistan's Water Crisis (It’s Not What You Think) | Dil ki Baat
Will AI data centers really drink all of Pakistan's water? In this episode of Dil Ki Baat, I break down the viral myths surrounding water scarcity in Pakistan and reveal the shocking truth about where our water actually goes. From the reality of agricultural water waste to the controversial need to price water, we explore the macroeconomic facts you need to know.This episode is sponsored by Ta
Stop Buying Real Estate "Files" (Do THIS with Rs. 10,000 Instead) ft. Muhammad Ejaz | TBT Podcast
The rupee just keeps devaluing, and I've felt it personally: my own net worth was cutin half the last time it moved from 170 to 320. So this episode is about the one legal,regulated way I've found to fight back. Mohammad Ijaz runs one of Pakistan's largestREIT (real estate investment trust) platforms, including Dolmen Mall, and he breaksdown how you can own a real, income-generating st
How Pakistan gets China-level AI in 10 years | Dil ki Baat
Last episode I argued Pakistan must build sovereign AI. This episode is the accounting: the real numbers on where the world's compute is, how far behind Pakistan actually is, and a year-by-year plan that gets us to 5 gigawatts in 10 years without breaking the economy.This episode is sponsored by Taptap Send.Download Taptap Send using the following link: https://taptapsend.onelink.me/LrabUse co
Data centers can fix Pakistan's electricity bills | Dil ki Baat
Half the world is building sovereign AI. In this episode I defend the claim with data: what Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the EU, Japan, India and Indonesia are each spending, why Pakistan's electricity problem is actually the case FOR local data centers, and the three-layer stack Pakistan must own.This episode is sponsored by Taptap Send.Download Taptap Send using the following link: https://taptaps
A NUST degree pays Rs 15,000. This skill paid $3,000 ft. M. Tanveer Nandla | TBT Podcast
Tanveer Nadla, founder and CEO of iSkills, has taught more than 20,000 students in Pakistan. We talk about the 86 dollars that started his journey, the first batch of 54 students he says are mostly crorepatis today, and why he believes SEO and digital skills matter more, not less, in the AI era.Join the Inner Circle, my weekly letter on AI, building, and being early to what's coming:https://muzami
The Netflix subscription that would crash Pakistan's economy | Dil ki Baat
Why Pakistan must build local AI infrastructure now, before dollar-pegged intelligence makes it unaffordable for 220 million people.This episode is sponsored by Taptap Send.Download Taptap Send using the following link: https://taptapsend.onelink.me/LrabUse code 'MUZAMILPK' for a first time bonusJoin the Inner Circle, my weekly letter on AI, building, and being early to what's coming:h
They Are Lying to You About Pakistan’s New AI Data Centers | Dil ki Baat
Join the Inner Circle, my weekly letter on AI, building, and being early to what's coming:https://muzamilhasan.com/inner-circleRead the thesis, the one idea behind everything I'm building:https://muzamilhasan.com/thesisMy website:https://muzamilhasan.comWill the new Sky47 AI Data Center drink all of Pakistan's water and destroy our power grid? In this episode of Dil Ki Baat, [FIX THIS
The End of Chatbots: Why "Agentic OS" is the Next Trillion-Dollar AI Race
Join the Inner Circle, my weekly letter on AI, building, and being early to what's coming:https://muzamilhasan.com/inner-circle?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=inner-circle&utm_content=emEGz99UQxcRead the thesis, the one idea behind everything I'm building:https://muzamilhasan.com/thesisMy website:https://muzamilhasan.comFollow my AI Focused Podcast at No
AI is Destroying Entry-Level Jobs (Stop Buying Courses) | TBT Podcast
Is AI actually destroying the job market for fresh graduates? In this episode, Ghalib Hasam returns to the podcast to break down the harsh reality of the post-AI job market, why the traditional "Apply Now" button is dead, and exactly how to use cold outreach to land high-paying remote US jobs from Pakistan.Join the Inner Circle, my weekly letter on AI, building, and being early to what&#
I Cloned My Brain with AI (And Now It Runs My Entire Business) | Dil ki Baat
Join the Inner Circle, my weekly letter on AI, building, and being early to what's coming:https://muzamilhasan.com/inner-circle...Read the thesis, the one idea behind everything I'm building:https://muzamilhasan.com/thesisMy website:https://muzamilhasan.comHow do you move past the AI hype cycle and actually build something real? In this update, I break down exactly how I used Claude Code,
Why did Mufti Taqi Usmani declare cryptocurrency haram? ft Qanit Khalilullah | TBT Podcast
Kanit Khalilullah explains why Pakistan's debt-based banking system is a bigger trap than cryptocurrency, and how full reserve banking could eliminate domestic debt.Join the Inner Circle, my weekly letter on AI, building, and being early to what's coming:https://muzamilhasan.com/inner-circleRead the thesis, the one idea behind everything I'm building:https://muzamilhasan.com/thesisMy w
How Hafiz Ahmed built a million-dollar Amazon business from zero ft. Hafiz Ahmed | TBT Podcast
Hafiz Ahmed shares his journey from a UK warehouse packer to building a million-dollar Amazon FBA business, then losing it overnight and rebuilding in Pakistan.Join the Inner Circle, my weekly letter on AI, building, and being early to what's coming:https://muzamilhasan.com/inner-circleRead the thesis, the one idea behind everything I'm building:https://muzamilhasan.com/thesisMy website:ht
The Dark Reality of AI: Why You Won't Be Able to Afford the Future ft. Ahmad Awais | TBT Podcast
Ahmad's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrahmadawais/Connect with me: https://muzamilhasan.comPersonal Branding Audit: https://muzamilhasan.com/auditMy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan/The world of software engineering is changing faster than we realize, and the AI tools we are building might be leading us into a massive financial bubble.In this episode of Thought Behind
STOP What You Are Doing and Learn Claude Code NOW! (Before It's Too Late)
Checkout the website and give me your feedback: https://muzamilhasan.comFollow me on Instagram for the new series: https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasanI spent the last 8 years entirely away from coding, dealing with imposter syndrome and fearing that software engineers were going to leave the rest of us behind in the AI era. But over the last two weeks, my mind has been completely blown.In just
523 | The Secret Plan to Dismantle the US Empire (It's Already Happening) | TBT
Connect with me: https://muzamilhasan.comPersonal Branding Audit: https://muzamilhasan.com/auditThe Hidden System Controlling the World (And How It Ends) | Simon Dixon on Thought Behind ThingsThe world is changing faster than we can comprehend, and the narratives we're being fed by the media are just theatrics. In this explosive episode of Thought Behind Things, Muzamil sits down with geopolitical
How to Get Rich in the Next 10 Years: The Space Tech Roadmap
Sign Up for Personal Brand: https://www.muzamilhasan.com/👇 DOWNLOAD THE FREE 50 STARTUPS REPORT 👇As promised, here is the complete research report featuring 50+ funded Space Tech startups (including major players from India and Europe) that you need to study right now:🔗 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AkttzuBdhuNcK4gtsjzFrMm-LFDkBYhnl3Pkx0DkRiY/edit?usp=sharingAI is disrupting the job market,
SpaceX vs AI Bubble: The Greatest Stock Market Crash is Coming
Sign Up for Personal Brand: https://www.muzamilhasan.com/My Instagram: https://instagram.com/muzamilhasanMy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/Elon Musk just became the world's first trillionaire, and SpaceX’s IPO shattered records with a $2 Trillion valuation. But is this the dawn of a new space economy, or the most elaborate financial trap in history? In this video, we unpack the
Pakistani Freelancer: Stop Bringing Dollars Directly to Your Bank!
Sign Up for Personal Brand: https://www.muzamilhasan.com/Sarmaya Tax Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lFbZVY2XUoSarmaya Tax Calculator: https://sarmaaya.pk/calculator/salary-taxMy Instagram: https://instagram.com/muzamilhasanMy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/Most hardworking people in Pakistan are trapped in a cycle of paying heavy, unoptimized taxes while watching the c
522 | How to Land a Remote US Tech Job From Pakistan (Without a Degree) | TBT
Build Your Personal Brand: https://www.muzamilhasan.com/Leverage Framework by Asaad: https://app.notion.com/p/The-Leverage-Framework-379c0dfdeba180a9b1aafbf5e300ce53?source=copy_linkAsaad's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asaadmahmood/Asaad's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AMDesignAndDev/My Instagram: https://instagram.com/muzamilhasanMy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/
Meezan Bank’s 55 Crore CEO & The Illusion of "Islamic" Finance
The upcoming national budget is scheduled to be announced on June 10, and the writing is on the wall: an extremely tough year dictated by IMF pressure is ahead. In this breakdown, we strip away the political narratives to examine the brutal first principles of Pakistan's macroeconomics and tax structures.This isn't just about the necessity of raising the tax-to-GDP ratio; it’s about the massive in
521 | ChatGPT Predicts the Top 5 Industries for the Next 25 Years | TBT
As part of our continuous exploration into the future of work, we dive deep into the ultimate final frontier: the space economy. What does a real 25-year roadmap look like for sustainable space stations, asteroid mining, and human settlement?Build Your Personal Brand: https://www.muzamilhasan.com/Taqwa Observatory: https://www.taqwaspaceobservatory.com/Hasaan's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com
The "YouTubification" of Software: AI's Trillion-Dollar Shift
Build Your Personal Brand: https://www.muzamilhasan.com/My Instagram: https://instagram.com/muzamilhasanMy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/Read the a16z essay on the YouTubification of Software: https://www.a16z.news/p/softwares-youtube-moment-is-happeningTry Replit to build your first prototype: https://replit.com/refer/one8nineIn 2010, the media industry was heavily gatekept,
520 | How to Land a US Remote Job from Pakistan (Step-by-Step) Ft Ghalib Hassam | TBT
Build Your Personal Brand: https://www.muzamilhasan.com/My Instagram: https://instagram.com/muzamilhasanMy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/Ghalib's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghalibhassam/The global market doesn't care about your local degree; it cares about your skills. Today, we break down exactly how to pivot into the international remote workforce and start earning
Stop Panicking About AI: What History Teaches Us About Tech Booms
Build Your Personal Brand: https://www.muzamilhasan.com/My Instagram: https://instagram.com/muzamilhasanMy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/In this episode, we sit down for an honest, raw, and authentic conversation about the current state of Artificial Intelligence. Right now, there is a massive mismatch between two competing narratives: one claiming AI is an overhyped bubble wi
Why China’s Free AI Strategy Could Change Everything
Build Your Personal Brand: https://www.muzamilhasan.com/My Instagram: https://instagram.com/muzamilhasanMy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/Sky47 Data Center: https://sky47.com.pk/facilitiesWhy is China giving away its most advanced artificial intelligence for free, and what does it mean for the future of the global economy?In this episode of Dil ki Baat, we go beyond the standar
Is AI A Trap? The Geopolitical Reality No One Is Talking About
Build Your Personal Brand: https://www.muzamilhasan.com/My Instagram: https://instagram.com/muzamilhasanMy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/US Textile Company: https://anatar.com/In this episode of "Dil Ki Baat", Syed Muzamil Hasan Zaidi uncovers the stark geopolitical reality hiding beneath the mainstream AI hype. While the world focuses on chatbots and billionaire "tech bros",
519 | aunching Pakistan's First Giga Factory! Can EVEE Scooters Replace Honda CD 70? | TBT
Sign Up For My Personal Brand Consultancy: https://www.muzamilhasan.com/My Instagram: https://instagram.com/muzamilhasanMy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/In this episode of Thought Behind Things, Muzamil Hasan sits down with Saad Farrukh, CEO of Evee Scooters, to discuss the booming Electric Vehicle (EV) market in Pakistan. With petrol prices constantly rising, is it finally ti
518 | Exposing Pakistan’s Tech Bubble: VC Frauds & AI Disruption | TBT
In this episode of Thought Behind Things, Syed Muzamil Hasan Zaidi sits down with Mutaher Khan, founder of Data Darbar and business columnist, to expose the harsh realities of Pakistan's startup and IT sectors. They discuss the controversial collapse of major startups like Airlift, uncovering how underlying operational issues and inflated expectations from venture capitalists damaged the ecosystem
517 | Zardari System & 28th Amendment: Is the PPP Empire on Fire? | TBT
In this episode of Thought Behind Things, Syed Muzamil Hasan Zaidi sits down with prominent radio host and Raftaar panelist Adeel Azhar to uncover the harsh realities of Pakistan's economy. While the government boasts about reaching a $450 billion GDP and nearing 4% growth , we expose the massive disconnect between official statistics and the brutal ground reality for everyday citizens.We dive dee
516 | Exposing Pakistan’s Tech Bubble: VC Frauds & AI Disruption | TBT
Sign Up For My Personal Brand Consultancy: https://www.muzamilhasan.com/My Instagram: https://instagram.com/muzamilhasanMy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/Daniyal's LinkedIn: https://pk.linkedin.com/in/daniyal-siddiqui-b02a9127DS Group: https://dsgroupco.com/In this episode of Thought Behind Things, Syed Muzamil Hasan Zaidi sits down with Daniyal Siddiqui to uncover the real eco
Rs. 415 Petrol Scam: Why The Government Is Robbing You Blind
Sign Up For My Personal Brand Consultancy: https://www.muzamilhasan.com/My Instagram: https://instagram.com/muzamilhasanMy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/Petrol prices have hit Rs. 415, and the blame game is everywhere. Is it really the IMF and international markets, or is there a bigger tax game at play?Welcome back to another episode of Dil Ki Baat. In today's video, we do a
Your Electricity Is About To Get More Expensive!
Sign Up For My Personal Brand Consultancy: https://www.muzamilhasan.com/My Instagram: https://instagram.com/muzamilhasanMy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/In today’s episode of Dil Ki Baat, I’m taking a contrarian stand on a news piece that has everyone talking: Pakistan’s agreement with the IMF to end electricity subsidies for consumers using under 200 units by 2026.While the p
Pakistan’s Real Estate Pump is Coming (Time to Get Rich?)
The Federal Constitutional Court just struck down Section 7E, ending the tax on second and third properties. While the real estate sector celebrates, is this actually a win for Pakistan, or just another cycle of the real estate "Choona"?In this episode of Dil Ki Baat, I am taking an "Urta Teer" to explain the macroeconomic reality behind this ruling. We break down the disparity between the heavily
Why Pakistan's Economy Keeps Losing (and how to fix it)
Sign Up For My Personal Brand Consultancy: https://www.muzamilhasan.com/My Instagram: https://instagram.com/muzamilhasanMy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/Why is the global economic order shifting, and where does Pakistan stand in the transition to a multipolar world?To understand true sovereignty, you must look past GDP figures and analyze the four indigenous pillars of an econ
515 | Why Pakistan's Hybrid System is Failing | Yasir Ahmed | TBT
Are the days of external patronage for Pakistan over? In this episode of Thought Behind Things, Muzamil Hasan Zaidi sits down with brilliant political analyst Yasir Ahmed Sumro to decode the changing world order and its direct impact on Pakistan's political economy.Yasir breaks down why the US and Middle Eastern states can no longer afford to fund Pakistan's rent-seeking elite, why traditional pol
How China is Destroying the Middle East's Oil Monopoly
In this episode of "Dil Ki Baat," we dive deep into the geopolitical shift of Cold War 2.0 and how energy supply chains are reshaping the entire world. With China controlling 80% of the solar supply chain and 77% of lithium-ion battery production, the traditional dominance of oil-rich Middle Eastern countries is under massive threat.We discuss the revolutionary new sodium-ion battery tec
Real Reason Behind the US Iran War: Energy, Pipelines & New World Order
Assalam o Alaikum! Welcome back to another episode of Dil Ki Baat. In today's video, we decode the massive geopolitical shifts happening around us. While many believe the US-Iran conflict is purely ideological, the truth is deeply rooted in energy, oil pipelines, and global economic survival.In this episode, we discuss:The Hidden Agendas of War: How energy pipelines fueled conflicts in Syria,
Why Science Made Me More Spiritual, Not Less.
In this very raw and personal episode of Dil Ki Baat, I’m opening up about my spiritual journey. Growing up in a conservative Pakistani household, religion always felt like a transaction—just collecting "Jannat points." This frustration pushed me towards agnosticism and questioning everything.But eventually, studying evolutionary computing, simulation theory, and science didn't pull me further fro
Global Crisis is Coming | Here's My Real Preparation Plan
We are entering an era of massive global realignment. Between geopolitical conflicts, sovereign debt crises, and the AI bubble, the next four to five years are going to be incredibly turbulent. Here is why I am stepping back from the "hustle culture" and changing how I live my life.In this episode of Dil Ki Baat, we dive deep into the uncomfortable reality of the changing global order. Social medi
De-Dollarization Just Hit Pakistan's Economy
Why is the very institution (FATF) that threatened to blacklist Pakistan over crypto and money laundering now pushing for the rapid regulation of stablecoins and virtual assets?In this episode of Dil Ki Baat, we connect the dots between local Pakistani news and massive global macroeconomic shifts. We explore how the US sovereign debt crisis and the trend of "de-dollarization" (driven by China and
514 | We Finally Built “PayPal” for Pakistan | Moiz Jangda | TBT
Checkout PocketMoney: https://www.pocketmoney.globalThe financial reset is happening, and the way we move money is changing forever. For years, Pakistani freelancers, remote workers, and businesses have struggled with capital controls, blocked accounts on Payoneer, and the nightmare of spending USD on basic global services like Facebook ads or software subscriptions.In this episode of Thought Behi
513 | Current Oil Prices Are Fake! Severe Economic Recession Is Coming | TBT
The numbers on the screen are lying to you. While global news shows oil hovering around $80, the physical reality is painting a terrifying picture for import-dependent economies.In episode 511 of Thought Behind Things, I sit down with Global Energy Market Analyst Osama Rizvi to decode the massive disconnect between paper and physical energy markets. We uncover why Pakistan is actually paying a $35
My Stance on Pakistan, Imran Khan & The Global Reset
I took a break to relocate to the US and build a one-person AI-led business. Today, it's just you and me. Let's talk about the hard transition, local LLMs, and why my views on Pakistan's politics (and Imran Khan) have evolved.Welcome back to a special one-on-one episode. Over the past year, I’ve been navigating a massive transition—moving from Dubai to the US, setting up a new home base in Atlanta
512 | ISLAMIC FINANCE: Why Your Money is Fake & The Coming Debt Crash | TBT
DOWNLOAD THE BOOK FOR FREE: https://prize.org.pk/Welcome back to another episode of Thought Behind Things!While the world is distracted by AI revolutions and geopolitical wars, a massive 100-year monetary reset is quietly unfolding globally. Today, we sit down with Kaanit Khalilullah, author of Breaking the Trap, to critically dismantle the modern banking system and understand why the global debt
511 | Why World War 3 is Inevitable (And China is Weaker Than It Looks) | TBT
Welcome back to another episode of Thought Behind Things!Today, we sit down with Farooq Tirmizi, the former Managing Editor for Profit Magazine and one of the most astute, data-driven financial analysts covering the Pakistani market. While the headlines focus on doom and gloom, Farooq breaks down why the private sector has quietly initiated a massive structural transformation, building what he cal
510 | How Pakistan Stopped WW3: The Islamabad Accord, 'Middle Power' Status | Ali Khizar | TBT
Welcome back to another episode of Thought Behind Things! After doing the last five episodes in English, we are bringing things back to our usual style of Urdu based on our local audience's feedback. Today, we sit down with one of Pakistan’s top economic minds and journalists, Ali Khizar, to decode the massive geopolitical shifts happening right now. With global analysts warning that the world is
509 | The New World Order: Pakistan's Rise as a "Middle Power" | Faisal Aftab | TBT
In this highly anticipated episode, Faisal Aftab returns to the show to break down the rapidly shifting geopolitical and geo-economic landscape. We explore the massive global transition happening between the old military-industrial complex and the rising financial-technology complex. Faisal explains the concept of a new "middle power" emerging between the major empires, potentially aligning countr
508 | The Islamabad Accord: What the US-Iran Peace Means for Pakistan's Economy | Yusuf M Farooq | TBT
In this episode, we unpack the unprecedented macroeconomic and geopolitical shift following Pakistan’s successful brokering of a ceasefire between the US and Iran. With global markets reacting instantly—Bitcoin surging, US stock futures climbing, and crude oil crashing below $100—Yusuf M. Farooq breaks down exactly what this means for the Pakistani economy and local investors.We analyze the immedi
507 | The $200 Oil Shock: Is Pakistan's Economy Facing Armageddon? | Abdul Rehman Najam | TBT
In this episode, we break down the severe economic implications of the global oil shock and what it means for Pakistan's immediate future. Abdul Rehman Najam joins the show to provide a critical analysis of current macroeconomic indicators, comparing today's crisis to historical events like the 1990 Gulf War. We analyze whether the worst of the demand destruction is already priced into the market,
506 | Dollar to 350? The $4.8B Debt Trap & Pakistan’s Economic Reset | Laeeq Ahmed | TBT
Pakistan is officially repaying its $3.5 billion debt to the UAE while the dollar begins its violent search for parity at 350 PKR. We are standing at a critical juncture: an oil shock, a forex shock, and a regional war are colliding simultaneously. Is this a short-term knee-jerk reaction, or are the systemic foundations of our economy finally resetting?In this episode, Laeeq (Founder & CEO of
505 | Is World War 3 Already Here? Iran, Israel, and the End of the UN | Yasir Abbas | TBT
Fuel prices in Pakistan have hit a historic high of 400 rupees. While the public is rightfully outraged, the brutal reality is that the state has no buffers, no reserves, and no choice. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. As supply chains for plastics, aluminum, and helium go offline globally, we are entering Phase 1 of a massive economic shift that will redefine the next six months. Are you
504 | America is Fading, Europe is a "Theme Park": The Multipolar Reality | TBT
Welcome back to Thought Behind Things. The global supply chain is experiencing a synchronized heart attack. With the Middle East conflict threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz, 20% of global oil and 50% of the world's urea are effectively offline. For decades, our survival strategy has been neutrality—but neutrality is a luxury you can only afford in a unipolar world, and that world is dead. I
503 | The AI Arms Race: Is Pakistan Building a Tech Engine or a Digital Sweatshop? | TBT
Welcome back to the next era of Thought Behind Things. The world is fracturing into a multipolar reality, a global financial reset is looming, and AI is triggering the most violent capital reallocation in human history. The era of the zero-interest-rate tech boom is dead; the AI efficiency purge is here. If we don’t understand the mechanics of these changes, we will be structurally locked out of t
502 | AI is Dumbing Us Down? The Real Fix for Pakistan’s Education Crisis | TBT Podcast
The global landscape is shifting rapidly with the rise of AI, yet Pakistan’s education system remains stuck in rote memorization. How do we prepare our youth for a post-AI world?In this episode, we sit down with Kamil Majeed, CEO and Principal of Nordic International School, to unpack the flaws in our educational framework. We discuss his experiences transitioning from LUMS to UCL, the stark diffe
501 | Education is Broken in Pakistan, Here's What's Coming Next | Dr Habib Bokhari | TBT
In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we dive deep into the rapidly changing landscape of education and technology in Pakistan. Joined by Dr. Habib Bukhari, former Vice Chancellor of Kohsar University, we explore the impact of AI on the service industry, the importance of "STEM" education, and why the traditional "degree-only" approach is no longer enough for the global market.Whether you’re a
500 | Beyond the Recipe: Mental Health, Identity & Building a Food Community Ft. Danial | TBT
In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we sit with Muhammad Danial, the creator who unintentionally turned simple kitchen experiments into one of Pakistan’s most engaging food communities. From growing up as a quiet kid dealing with OCD, to finding confidence through a camera, to balancing the pressure of online fame with the weight of personal identity, Danial shares the untold story behind hi
499 | Inside Daari Mooch: From Beard Oil to a $3M Brand in Pakistan Ft. Ibrahim Shaukat | TBT
In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we sit with Ibrahim Shaukat, the founder, who turned Daari Mooch from a small beard-oil experiment into one of Pakistan’s most recognized grooming brands.From building products in a market that didn’t exist, to opening their own salon, to navigating Pakistan’s unpredictable retail landscape, Ibrahim breaks down the real story behind Daari Mooch’s rise.What
498 | Studying Abroad Is The BEST Investment For Your Kids? Ft. Obaid Arshad | TBT
In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we speak with Obaid Arshad, Founder & CEO of Gingko Retail, Pakistan’s biggest ecommerce operating platform and the largest order aggregator in the country.We Explore:Less than 1% of Pakistan’s commerce has moved onlineHow Gingko Retail became Pakistan’s largest ecommerce enabler214+ merchants using the platformIPO plans for the futureWhy Pakistanis ne
497 | The West Sold Us a Lie — Pakistan Is the Real Opportunity | Ft. Asfandyar Waraich | TBT
In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we sit down with a rapidly growing digital creator to unpack his journey from childhood struggles and losing his father at a young age to building a full-time career in online content creationFrom early exposure abroad to returning home, he explains why social media gave him more earning power than settling for a corporate job — and why algorithm understan
496 | A Marketplace To BUY & SELL Softwares!! Ft. Shane & Adnan | TBT
In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we sit down with Shane and Adnan, founders of Software Finder — a global marketplace for buying and selling software, like an OLX for software buyers.With 350+ employees across 4 countries and more than 250,000 targeted monthly visitors, Software Finder has quietly become one of Pakistan’s most successful B2B platforms without hype, foreign celebrity found
495 | Pakistan’s BIGGEST Startup Success Story: vyro.ai Ft. Ahmed Abubakar | TBT
In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we sit down with Ahmed Abubakar, Founder of Imagine Art - a Pakistan-built GenAI creative suite used by millions worldwide and competing for #1–#2 positions in global design app charts, right next to Canva. Today, Imagine does $30M+ ARR, with a major portion of revenue coming from the US and international markets - proving that world-class AI products can
494 | Delivery Riders Are Barely Surviving!! Ft.Umer Munawar | TBT
In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we sit down with Umer Munawar, Co-Founder of SmartLane, one of Pakistan’s fastest-growing logistics aggregation platforms.Umer shares how he exited Finja and jumped straight into solving Pakistan’s most chaotic industry - e-commerce logistics. From integrating 31 courier companies, to processing thousands of parcels, to raising $2.3 million, this episode b
493 | AI Race Starts At ZERO For BOTH Pakistan & India!! Ft. Nayab Babar | TBT
In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we sit down with Nayab Babar, Chief Investment Officer at the Pakistan Startup Fund, the man shaping how capital flows into Pakistan’s next generation of startups.Nayab shares how Warcraft strategy games trained his problem-solving mindset, how his perspective on racism changed, and why he believes exposure not arguments fixes prejudice.Nayab also explains
492 | We Manage 800 Employees Selling JUST Donuts!! Ft. Rayyan Sohail | TBT
In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we sit down with Rayyan, the entrepreneur behind one of Pakistan’s fastest-growing food brands - OD.From a disciplined childhood in madrassah to running his father’s company at a young age, Rayyan’s journey is a mix of family pressure, resilience, and a deep desire to build something of his own. He shares how he transformed a family business, shifted from
491 | Salesflo Founder: AI Will DESTROY Pakistan’s Freelancing Boom!! | TBT
In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we sit down with Yasir Suleman Memon, Founder & CEO of Salesflo, one of Pakistan’s biggest enterprise SaaS companies, now used globally across multiple markets.We explore:Why second-tier Pakistani cities never developedHow AI is reversing Pakistan’s freelancing boomWhy Pakistani founders lack “IPO hunger”Why startups MUST list publicly to retain talent
488 | How Much Money Is REALLY in Sports in Pakistan? | TBT
In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we’re joined by the founder of Game Sports Management, one of Pakistan’s few companies trying to turn athletes into real commercial brands.From managing Wasim Akram to building a full sports business, he shares the why Pakistan’s athletes never grow, why our sports ecosystem is broken, and how countries like India turned every sport into a billion-dollar i
485 | ALETHIA AI Founder: We Made Muzamil’s AI Avatar & Asked WHO HE’D VOTE FOR!! | TBT
CHECK OUT MY AI AVATAR: https://muzamil.alethia.ai/In this episode, we sit down with Arif Khan, Founder & CEO of ALETHIA AI, the global startup building real-time interactive AI agents, with a major part of the technology being developed in Pakistan.We Explore:Creating AI versions of real peopleHow Muzamil’s own AI avatar was trainedUsing AI for education, government services, counselling, and
484 | Ziyad Parekh: RAAST Will Change Every Online Payment in Pakistan!! | TBT
In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we sit down with Ziyad Parekh, Co-Founder & CEO of Safepay, one of Pakistan’s most exciting fintech startups and a Y-Combinator backed startup.Ziyad shares how he went from Karachi to New York and why he left everything to return home and build Pakistan’s version of Stripe. We uncover how Safepay survived being taken to zero overnight, how they rebuilt
483| Khazanay Founder: I Met Sam Altman & He Loved Our Startup | TBT
In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we sit down with Usman Saleem, Co-Founder & CEO of Khazanay, Pakistan’s biggest used sneaker and thrift brand.Usman shares his journey from losing his father at an early age, working graphic design jobs for just ₨8,000 a month, to building one of Pakistan’s most disruptive retail startups.We talk about:How Khazanay sold its first pair of shoesMeeting S
482 | Manto Founder: Pakistan’s Fashion Brands Don’t Make MONEY!! | TBT
In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we’re joined by Salman Parekh, Founder of Manto, Pakistan’s most distinct fashion brand redefining local identity through design, storytelling, and craftsmanship. From launching limited hand-drawn collections to sustaining a premium yet local brand in a low-growth economy.We explore:How Manto built its own supply chain & scaled sustainablyWhy Pakistani
481 | Maha Shahzad: We’re Doing 6.5 MILLION Dollars Revenue ANNUALLY!! | TBT
In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we’re joined by Maha Shahzad, the founder & CEO of Buscaro — Pakistan’s first tech-enabled bus-sharing startup that’s making everyday commuting safer, smarter, and more affordable for thousands of Pakistanis.From doing odd jobs to fund her education, to building a profitable transport startup without a degree, Maha’s story is pure resilience. She share
480 | Jerjees Seja: Ary launching ZAP to DESTROY Netflix! | TBT
In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we’re joined by Jerjees Seja, CEO of ARY Digital Network, one of Pakistan’s most iconic media leaders. From shaping the country’s TV and drama landscape to building ARY into a powerhouse of entertainment, Jerjees shares his journey of transforming Pakistan’s media industry.We discuss:How Pakistan’s private TV revolution beganThe economics behind news, dram
478 | 40 Branches in 7 Cities But Do Pakistanis Take Loans Seriously? Ft. Arif Lakhani | TBT
In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we’re joined by Arif Lakhani, Co-Founder of QistBazaar, Pakistan’s fastest-growing fintech platform making anything, from bikes to fridges, available on easy installments.We explore:How QistBazaar gives access to credit without traditional bankingWhy 90% of startup funding never enters Pakistan’s economyAre easy installments driving consumerism and debt?Th
475 | Myco Founder: SPORTSMEN BLAME FANS For Not Watching Sports! | TBT
Find out more about Endeavor: https://pakistan.endeavor.orgIn this episode of Thought Behind Things, we’re joined by Umair Masoom Usmani, the Founder of Myco, a rapidly growing OTT and creator-monetization platform redefining how people consume, fund, and earn from content across emerging markets.After leaving Dubai’s corporate comfort, Umair built one of Pakistan’s fastest-scaling digital v
474 | Scents N Stories CEO: We Have 40+ OUTLETS Across PAKISTAN! | TBT
Find out more about Endeavor: https://pakistan.endeavor.orgIn this episode of Thought Behind Things, we’re joined by Saad Afridi, the Founder & CEO of Scents N Stories, Pakistan’s leading fragrance brand with over 40 outlets, 300+ employees, and one of the top 5 players in the country’s perfume market.From starting with men’s grooming products to building a nationwide perfume empire, Saad
473 | Saad Riaz: How Kickstart Became Pakistan’s LARGEST Coworking Space | TBT
Find out more about Endeavor: https://pakistan.endeavor.orgIn this episode of Thought Behind Things, we’re joined by Saad Riaz, Co-Founder of Kickstart Pakistan, the country’s one of the largest coworking network powering thousands of professionals and businesses every day.Saad opens up about how Kickstart survived Pakistan’s toughest economic years, scaled sustainably, and redefined what “work
467 | Dipitt Founder: We Export To 33 COUNTRIES From Pakistan!! | TBT
Find out more about Endeavor: https://pakistan.endeavor.orgIn this episode of Thought Behind Things, we’re joined by Syed Zeeshan Haider, the Founder and Director of Dipitt, Pakistan’s No.1 sauce brand exporting to over 33 countries worldwide.A LUMS graduate and engineer by training, Zeeshan began his career managing top tobacco brands before making a life-changing decision, leaving the industry
