The Depressing Promises of the People

In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Fahd Ali about the recent deal Pakistan reached with the IMF and what comes next. We also talked at length about the taxation challenges in Pakistan, whether the country needs debt restructuring, and what he would like to see policymakers focus on in the next 12 months. Dr. Fahd Ali is Assistant Professor and Dean of Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences at the Information Technology University. Dr. Fahd Ali did his PhD in Economics from The New School for Social Research. He also has an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, and two Masters in Economics from Lahore University of Management Sciences and University of Utah, respectively. His research interests lie in macroeconomics and economic history with political economy as theme common to both. Before joining the Information Technology University, he was working at Habib University as an assistant professor in their Social Development Policy and policy programme. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 2:15 The IMF deal 16:10 Taxation challenges 36:50 Debt restructuring 52:00 Priorities for next 12 months 1:09:10 Reading recommendations Reading recommendations: - The Wages of Destruction by Adam Tooze - Directorate S by Steve Coll