

The Pakistan Experience
The Pakistan Experience
The Pakistan Experience is a podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan, and Pakistanis, through the lost art of conversations.
https://www.youtube.com/c/ThePakistanExperience
Also available on Spotify, Google Podcasts and Apple Podcasts.
Hosted by Shehzad Ghias Shaikh
https://www.youtube.com/c/ThePakistanExperience
Also available on Spotify, Google Podcasts and Apple Podcasts.
Hosted by Shehzad Ghias Shaikh
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 4, 2025 • 30min
Trump bullying India, Oil in Pakistan, Absolutely Not to Absolutely Yes - #TWIP 28
In today's episode we discuss USA Tariffs, America bullying India, Oil deal with Pakistan, Qasim and Suleiman lobbying in the USA, Honour Killing in Balochistan and the Famine in Gaza.Uzair Younus and Shehzad Ghias do the round up of this week's news in our new show 'This Week in Pakistan. Watch all episodes of This Week in Pakistan:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzTU8aQikWU&list=PLlQZ9NZnjq5rCn6IgBjTRXnRjsS03Ty8OThe Pakistan Experience is an independently produced podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan through conversations. Please consider supporting us on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/thepakistanexperienceTo support the channel:Jazzcash/Easypaisa - 0325 -2982912Patreon.com/thepakistanexperienceAnd Please stay in touch:https://twitter.com/ThePakistanExp1https://www.facebook.com/thepakistanexperiencehttps://instagram.com/thepakistanexpeperienceThe 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. Instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikhFacebook.com/Shehzadghias/Twitter.com/shehzad89Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC44l9XMwecN5nSgIF2Dvivg/joinChapters:0:00 Introduction1:30 Donald Trump, Tariffs and oil in Pakistan3:11 Honour Killing in Balochistan9:50 9th May Judgments13:08 Papa bachao Tehreek18:44 Trump calls India a dead economy23:00 Famine in Gaza28:00 Uzair's book is out

Aug 3, 2025 • 1h 42min
Workplace Harassment, IBA and the Urdu debate - Zahra Sabri - #TPE 459
Zahra Sabri comes on TPE to discuss Workplace harassment, IBA, her case and the Urdu debate.Zahra Sabri is a Karachi-based academic who teaches Indo-Muslim History and Literatures. She received her MA degree from the Department of Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies at Columbia University in the City of New York through a Fulbright Scholarship. She has taught History and Urdu Language and Literature at universities such as McGill University, Canada (where she pursued doctoral work at the Institute of Islamic Studies), IBA Karachi, the Aga Khan University, Pakistan, Habib University, and the University of Karachi’s Pakistan Study Centre. Her research focuses on Mughal History and the influence of the Persianate on Indo-Muslim languages, cultures, and traditions of learning, as well as on politics of identity centred around Urdu in South Asia. She is the curator of Koozah -- an anthology of Urdu short stories by new and little-known Pakistani writers (Oxford University Press, 2015). She is a literary translator, and has translated folk and classical poetry from almost a dozen Pakistani languages for eleven seasons of the popular music programme Coke Studio, Pakistan. She has also worked as a journalist for the Herald magazine (Dawn), winning the Zubeida Mustafa Award for Journalistic Excellence (2013) and has contributed articles to Pakistan’s national press on diverse political and educational issues.The Pakistan Experience is an independently produced podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan through conversations. Please consider supporting us on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/thepakistanexperienceTo support the channel:Jazzcash/Easypaisa - 0325 -2982912Patreon.com/thepakistanexperienceAnd Please stay in touch:https://twitter.com/ThePakistanExp1https://www.facebook.com/thepakistanexperiencehttps://instagram.com/thepakistanexpeperienceThe 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. Instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikhFacebook.com/Shehzadghias/Twitter.com/shehzad89Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC44l9XMwecN5nSgIF2Dvivg/joinChapters:0:00 Introduction2:15 Story of the IBA lecturer harassment case47:47 Workplace Harassment, the Law and the Process52:55 Careerism and Old boys clubs1:00:00 Ombudsman ruling and the process after1:04:00 Publications1:10:30 The Urdu Debate1:13:48 Languages evolve1:17:30 Teaching Urdu and different styles of Urdu1:29:00 India Policy and Hindi1:31:25 Urdu vs Bengali1:40:00 Press Releases

Jul 31, 2025 • 2h 16min
Comedy Culture, War with India and Donald Trump - Ali Abdullah on Stand Up Comedy - #TPE 461
Ali Abdullah comes back on TPE for a fun discussion on Malir Cantt during the war, Pakistani humour, Donald Trump, covering the war, kachra baatain online, virality, comedy culture, Urdu Shayaree, Iran, Karachi Food and getting old.Ali Abdullah is a Stand-up Comedian and a Content Creator.The Pakistan Experience is an independently produced podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan through conversations. Please consider supporting us on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/thepakistanexperienceTo support the channel:Jazzcash/Easypaisa - 0325 -2982912Patreon.com/thepakistanexperienceAnd Please stay in touch:https://twitter.com/ThePakistanExp1https://www.facebook.com/thepakistanexperiencehttps://instagram.com/thepakistanexpeperienceThe 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. Instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikhFacebook.com/Shehzadghias/Twitter.com/shehzad89Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC44l9XMwecN5nSgIF2Dvivg/joinChapters:0:00 Introduction1:30 Indo-Pakistan war 5:22 Covering the war, fact-checking and online discourse18:00 Growing up and learning20:00 Scam Calls and Messages29:00 Comedian serious baat nahee kar saktay?34:00 Performing in Frere Hall and Touring in Pakistan 41:30 Urdu Shayaree and Nakaam Aashiq45:00 Looking for virality and Kachra baatain49:30 Quitting Current Affairs54:00 Cancelling Stand up Comedians57:00 Going to the Mountains59:00 Immigration and creation of Pakistan1:05:00 Iran, Nuclear Bomb and Regional Conflict 1:16:44 Donald Trump, Democracy and American influence1:23:36 Age, Health and Food1:36:40 Ali Abdullah's journey and Comedy Community 2:00:46 Audience Questions

Jul 23, 2025 • 40min
Why Kashmir is Hamlet in Vishal Bhardwaj's Haider - Film Video Essay
The Film Experiencehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsBxow_7tyA&t=1604s

Jul 21, 2025 • 38min
Flooding in Pakistan, The Epstein Files and Coldplay Gate - This Week in Pakistan #027
In today's episode we discuss Coldplaygate, The Epstein Files, Flooding in Pakistan, Urbanization and Israel-Syria.Uzair Younus and Shehzad Ghias do the round up of this week's news in our new show 'This Week in Pakistan. Watch all episodes of This Week in Pakistan:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzTU8aQikWU&list=PLlQZ9NZnjq5rCn6IgBjTRXnRjsS03Ty8OThe Pakistan Experience is an independently produced podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan through conversations. Please consider supporting us on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/thepakistanexperienceTo support the channel:Jazzcash/Easypaisa - 0325 -2982912Patreon.com/thepakistanexperienceAnd Please stay in touch:https://twitter.com/ThePakistanExp1https://www.facebook.com/thepakistanexperiencehttps://instagram.com/thepakistanexpeperienceThe 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. Instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikhFacebook.com/Shehzadghias/Twitter.com/shehzad89Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC44l9XMwecN5nSgIF2Dvivg/joinChapters:0:00 Introduction and Coldplay Gate2:00 TRF declared a Ter Organization 5:00 Flooding and Urbanization 10:49 Trees prevent landsliding 13:27 Pakistan posts current account surplus17:33 Australia vs West Indies and England vs India21:26 Epstein Files27:16 KFC shut down in India and Punjab Police 29:30 News Wrap up32:58 Israel strikes Syria

Jul 18, 2025 • 25min
Kya Karachi paal raha hay Pakistan ko? - Taxation, NFC and Balochistan - Karachi Kahani
Today on Karachi Kahani we dissect the myth that Karachi paal raha hay Pakistan ko.The Pakistan Experience is an independently produced podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan through conversations. Please consider supporting us on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/thepakistanexperienceTo support the channel:Jazzcash/Easypaisa - 0325 -2982912Patreon.com/thepakistanexperienceAnd Please stay in touch:https://twitter.com/ThePakistanExp1https://www.facebook.com/thepakistanexperiencehttps://instagram.com/thepakistanexpeperienceThe 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. Instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikhFacebook.com/Shehzadghias/Twitter.com/shehzad89Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC44l9XMwecN5nSgIF2Dvivg/join

Jul 18, 2025 • 12min
The Tragedy of Karbala - Moharram in Karachi - Why do Shias block the road? #TPE
A documentary on the 12th Moharram Juloon in Johar, Karachi.The Pakistan Experience is an independently produced podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan through conversations. Please consider supporting us on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/thepakistanexperienceTo support the channel:Jazzcash/Easypaisa - 0325 -2982912Patreon.com/thepakistanexperienceAnd Please stay in touch:https://twitter.com/ThePakistanExp1https://www.facebook.com/thepakistanexperiencehttps://instagram.com/thepakistanexpeperienceThe 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. Instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikhFacebook.com/Shehzadghias/Twitter.com/shehzad89Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC44l9XMwecN5nSgIF2Dvivg/join

Jul 15, 2025 • 1h 58min
Understanding Shia customs, beliefs and practices - Syed Muhammad Kumail and Kumail Jaffry - #TPE
Our annual podcast on Moharram, Shia beliefs and myths in Pakistan.Syed Muhammad Kumail and Kumail Ali Jafry join us to discuss Azadari, Zuljinah, Mourning, Juloos, Persection, Haleem, the Muslim World, Quaid-e-Azam and Shia customs, beliefs and practices. Syed Muhammad Kumail is an Educationist, comedian, content creator, actor and a classical singer.Kumail Ali Jaffry is a music curator and culture revivalist.The Pakistan Experience is an independently produced podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan through conversations. Please consider supporting us on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/thepakistanexperienceTo support the channel:Jazzcash/Easypaisa - 0325 -2982912Patreon.com/thepakistanexperienceAnd Please stay in touch:https://twitter.com/ThePakistanExp1https://www.facebook.com/thepakistanexperiencehttps://instagram.com/thepakistanexpeperienceThe 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. Instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikhFacebook.com/Shehzadghias/Twitter.com/shehzad89Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC44l9XMwecN5nSgIF2Dvivg/joinChapters:0:00 Introduction3:50 Sikh culture6:30 Azadaari11:20 Sadaat14:40 Society19:30 Zuljinah, videos going viral and practicses25:20 Family and Mourning and children shia beliefs39:30 Prosecution43:00 Juloos47:48 Daleem and Haleem52:00 Iran, the Muslim World and Nobel Peace Prize Wars1:00:00 Quaid-e-Azam1:02:00 Babar and Aurangzeb1:06:00 Urdu and Pakistan history1:11:20 Is there historical evidence of Karbala?1:18:40 Majlis, Shia customs and practices, and Marsiye1:39:00 Audience Questions

Jul 12, 2025 • 5min
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara - Nathia Gali Edition - Travel Vlog
Something different on TPE today, here is my travel vlog from Nathia Gali.The Pakistan Experience is an independently produced podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan through conversations. Please consider supporting us on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/thepakistanexperienceTo support the channel:Jazzcash/Easypaisa - 0325 -2982912Patreon.com/thepakistanexperienceAnd Please stay in touch:https://twitter.com/ThePakistanExp1https://www.facebook.com/thepakistanexperiencehttps://instagram.com/thepakistanexpeperienceThe 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. Instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikhFacebook.com/Shehzadghias/Twitter.com/shehzad89Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC44l9XMwecN5nSgIF2Dvivg/join

Jul 12, 2025 • 1h 17min
Muhajir Militancy, Creation of MQM, Karachi and the Mohajir Identity - TPE Book Club #TPE
Today on TPE Book Club we look at Mohajir Militancy in Pakistan Violence and Transformation in the Karachi Conflict By Nichola Khan.The Pakistan Experience is an independently produced podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan through conversations. Please consider supporting us on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/thepakistanexperienceTo support the channel:Jazzcash/Easypaisa - 0325 -2982912Patreon.com/thepakistanexperienceAnd Please stay in touch:https://twitter.com/ThePakistanExp1https://www.facebook.com/thepakistanexperiencehttps://instagram.com/thepakistanexpeperienceThe 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. Instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikhFacebook.com/Shehzadghias/Twitter.com/shehzad89Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC44l9XMwecN5nSgIF2Dvivg/joinChapters:0:00 Introduction and ohajir Militancy in Pakistan: Violence andTransformation in the Karachi Conflict ; By Nichola Khan1:30 Creation of the Mohajir Identity6:43 Story of Arshad - a MQM Target Killer10:48 MQM's narrative and petty bourgeois14:14 Mohajir Rights, Ethnonationalism and Mohajirs Transposed17:54 GM Syed19:08 Bhutto's policies23:27 Zia-ul-Haq, JI and MQM27:00 Violence and Extortion35:50 Mohajir Identity, JI and MQM-Haqeeqi39:30 Violence, Identity, Masculinity and Ethnicity50:50 Myths of MQM and sense of Mohajir supremacy59:21 Mohajir Nationalism, Politics and creating a victim mentality1:06:00 Myths of MQM and the Mohajir Identity