Pakistonomy
Pakistan's first podcast focused on the country's economy, simplifying the complex relationships between paisa, politics and the public. Presented by Tabadlab.
Episodes
Ep 255 - The Rupee is Overvalued
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
Ep 254 - Unlocking Pakistan's Export Potential
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/972c49ee47
Ep 253 - SECP's Role in Deepening Capital Markets
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 int
Ep 252 - Pakistan-Saudi Mutual Defense Pact
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 explor
Ep 251 - Political crisis in Nepal and the path forward
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 Ch
Ep 250 - What’s going on in the forex market?
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 socieit
Ep 249 - Volatility in the India-US Relationship
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
Ep 248 - Donald Trump, Modi, and the U.S.-India Relationship
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 thi
Ep 247 - What comes next for Iran?
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
Ep 246 - Budget 2025 is an “elephantine mediocrity”
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 Introduction
1:45 Budget assessment
11:10 So
Ep 245 - Making sense of the geopolitical chessboard
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
Ep 244 - Pathways to deescalation in the India-Pakistan crisis
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 indep
Ep 243 - Pahalgam Terror Attack and Options for India
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.
Colo
Ep 242 - What comes next for the India-Pakistan relationship?
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 Sou
Ep 241 - Terrorism, India-Pakistan Standoff, and the Future of the Subcontinent
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 I
Ep 240 - AI and the Future of Jobs
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-old
If you want to get in touch with Adil, message h
Ep 239 - The state targets journalists through PECA
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 contin
Ep 238 - Pakistan tries to become a hard state
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
Episode 237 - Food inflation and market reforms in agriculture
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 Introduction
1:40 Water shortages
4:10 Whe
Ep 236 - Is the ruling regime going to last for a long time?
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 Introdu
Episode 235 - Balochistan in Crisis
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
Episode 234 - What's Next for Pakistan's Startup and Innovation Economy
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 Paki
Episode 233 - Pakistan's Foreign Policy Priorities in 2025 w/ Dr. Qamar Cheema
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 Introduction
2:00 Afghan
Episode 232 - Assessing the PML-N's One Year Economic Performance
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 Introduction
1:20 Performance review
8:10 Rea
Episode 231 - DeepSeek Delivers a Massive Surprise in AI
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
Episode 230 - Why is India's Economy Slowing Down and the Rupee Weakening?
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
Episode 229 - Pakistan's Afghan Dilemma and the Path Forward
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, hostin
Episode 228 - Pakistan moves towards an electric vehicle revolution
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
Episode 227 - Pakistan-Afghanistan Relations Take a Bad Turn
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/
Episode 226 - What awaits Pakistan's Economy in 2025
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 Introduction
0:58 Stability restored
7:10 Finance minister’s performance
16:47 Investor confidence in Pakist
Episode 225 - Shark Tank: Promoting Entrepreneurship in Pakistan
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
Episode 224 - What happened with PTI's final call?
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 Introduction
1:20 Politics of dharna
9:30 Failure of coalition building
14:40 Why didn’t people come out?
23:08 PTI’s
Episode 223 - India's Heartland Chokes on Smog
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 improveme
Episode 222 - Profiting from patients - How pharmaceutical bribes are impact citizens' healthcare
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 Fa
Episode 221 - Pakistan's Air Pollution Crisis
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 awarenes
Episode 220 - American-Muslims and the US Election
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 thr
Episode 219 - What to expect from the U.S. elections
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 Se
Episode 218 - Lockdowns, PTI, and the Youth
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
Episode 217 - Amendments, Bans, and Democracy
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 Movemen
Episode 216 - Have we entered a third world war?
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 ab
Episode 215 - Pakistan enters another IMF programme
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
Episode 214 - Constitutional Amendments, Legal Reforms, and the Failures of Pakistan's Supreme Court
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
Episode 213 - PTI's Plan for Pakistan's Democracy
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 ab
Episode 212 - Running Across Pakistan for Education
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 C
Episode 211 - Did Pakistan Truly Achieve Freedom?
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 Pakis
Episode 210 - What happened in Bangladesh and what comes next?
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 he
Episode 209 - What's going on in Balochistan?
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 Ri
Episode 208 - Can the status quo be sustained in Pakistan? (Urdu)
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 th
Episode 207 - Is a Hezbollah-Israel War Imminent?
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 Uni
Episode 206 - Why a PTI ban may shake the foundations of Pakistan
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 Pakis
Episode 205 - France Resists the Far Right, For Now
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,
Ep 204 - Assessing Biden's Policy Towards Israel and Palestine
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 choice
Episode 203 - China asks Pakistan to do more
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
Episode 202 - Budget Inflicts More Pain on Citizens
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 n
Episode 201 - Preparing for extreme heat in the subcontinent
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
Episode 200 - What just happened in the Indian elections?
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 B
Episode 199 - Imran Khan v. Judiciary v. Establishment
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 wheth
Episode 198 - Budget, Taxes, and the IMF
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
Episode 197 - Prospects for Saudi Investment in Pakistan
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 financi
Episode 196 - Budget, Reforms, and the IMF
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 discusse
Episode 195 - Pakistan's Stunting Crisis
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
Episode 193 - Why is foreign investment critical to Pakistan's economic success?
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 Com
Episode 192 - Why did Pakistan fall behind India and Bangladesh
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
Episode 191 - How Israel's War on Gaza is Changing the Global World Order
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
Episode 189 - Teach for Pakistan - Solving Pakistan’s Education Crisis
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 leaders
Episode 189 - Deciphering Indonesia’s Elections
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
Episode 188 - Competing in the elections as a PTI candidate
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
Episode 187 - The devastating impact of arbitrary internet shutdowns
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 Introduction
2:10 Current situation
4:30 What have the courts said?
11:05 Th
Episode 186 - How similar is 2024 to 1977?
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.
Chapters
0:00 Introduction
4:45 2024 elections analysis
15:2
Episode 184 - Providing capital to SMEs and women
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 mana
Episode 183 - Running in an election in Pakistan
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 Introduction
3:20 What is the election situat
Episode 182 - Pakistan Responds to Iran. What comes next?
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
Episode 181 - What will the economy look like in 2024?
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
Episode 180 - Outlook for elections and beyond
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 Introduction
3:50 State of media today
17:50 Elections outlook
23:30 PML-N’s strategy
27:12 PTI’s s
Episode 179 - Why trauma-informed schools are a necessity in Pakistan
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 empath
Episode 178 - Becoming a Cutting-Edge Scientist in Germany
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 place
Episode 177 - How did we get here and what’s next for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
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. Sin
Pakistonomy - Episode 176 - Reorienting the economy for sustainable growth
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.
Pakistonomy - Episode 174 - Can Pakistan Deal with Climate Change?
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 organisa
Pakistonomy - Episode 173 - LOKAL - Scaling an affordable tourism ecosystem
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
