

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

Apr 13, 2024 • 54min
Which Election was the worst? - Election Analysis 2008 to 2024 - Shehzad Ghias #TPE
Part 3 of our Stolen Election series looks at the Elections 2008 to 2024.
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/thepakistanexperience
The first part of the series:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SunxYsfHHG4
To support the channel:
Jazzcash/Easypaisa - 0325 -2982912
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.
Instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikh
Facebook.com/Shehzadghias/
Twitter.com/shehzad89
Chapters:
0:00 Return of Democracy, America and Dictatorship
3:00 Return of Benazir Bhutto and Removal of Musharraf
7:00 Benazir Bhutto's Assassination
11:50 2008 Elections and Democratic Traditions
18:50 2008-2013
20:30 2013 Elections and the 2014 Dharna
26:50 Destroying Democratic Traditions in 2017
33:50 2018 Elections and PTI's formation of Government
37:05 2024 Elections and Final Analysis

Apr 11, 2024 • 2h 35min
The Journey of TPE, Euro Trip and Using Children for Content - Sajeer Shaikh - Shehzad Ghias - #TPE
For pictures/videos, watch the Euro Trip part on Youtube.
Sajeer Shaikh and Shehzad Ghias look back at the journey of The Pakistan Experience, from being a PTI supporter in 2013 to being a critic of the party in 2024, Shehzad and Sajeer discuss the five years of TPE, the pressures of making content, using children for content, sensationalism, mental health,
BTS, Cult Culture, and a breakdown of Shehzad's euro trip.
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/thepakistanexperience
To support the channel:
Jazzcash/Easypaisa - 0325 -2982912
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.
Instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikh
Facebook.com/Shehzadghias/
Twitter.com/shehzad89
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction and Mental Health Catch up
6:36 Supporting PTI when I was young
20:00 Is TPE ending?
27:00 Trolling, Lashing out and Polarization
31:00 Using Children for Content
51:00 Online criticism
1:01:00 BTS Army and Cult Culture
1:07:00 journey of TPE and People's expectations
1:28:00 Euro Trip
2:16:00 Staying away from Sensationalism
2:20:00 Conclusion and Audience Questions

Apr 10, 2024 • 1h 36min
Funding, Western Agenda and Elitist; Myths and Misconceptions - Aurat March Organizers - #TPE 347
Aurat March Organizers Karachi come on The Pakistan Experience to discuss the myths and misconceptions around the Aurat March.
Where does the funding come from?
Is there a Western Agenda?
Is it just for elite women?
FInd out this and more on this week's episode of The Pakistan Experience.
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/thepakistanexperience
To support the channel:
Jazzcash/Easypaisa - 0325 -2982912
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.
Instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikh
Facebook.com/Shehzadghias/
Twitter.com/shehzad89
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:30 Why be Anonymous ? Threats faced by Aurat March
9:00 Organizing Aurat March, Statements and Funding
14:00 Is Aurat March selective in their outrage?
22:18 Funding of Aurat March and 'People with Uteruses' Controversy
52:50 Is Aurat March an elitist movement?
1:04:00 Audience Questions: Myths and MIsconceptions
1:21:00 Agenda for this year's Aurat March

Apr 7, 2024 • 1h 19min
ISI, Taliban and Kashmir: A History of Militancy in Pakistan - Zahid Hussain - TPE 346
Zahid Hussain comes on for an explosive episode of The Pakistan Experience on the history of militancy in Pakistan.
On this episode, Zahid Hussain talks about TTP 2.0, Afghanistan, Kashmir, the 1980s, Benazir Bhutto, Hamid Gul, Musharraf, Lal Masjid, Baloch Insurgency, 9th May and more.
Zahid Hussain is an award-winning journalist and writer. He is a correspondent for The Times of London and The Wall Street Journal. He also has covered Pakistan and Afghanistan for several other international publications, including Newsweek, the Associated Press and The Economist.
Hussain has authored two books: Frontline Pakistan: The struggle with militant Islam (2007) and The scorpion’s Tail: The relentless rise of Islamic militants in Pakistan (2010). The books have won widespread acclaim as seminal texts on the subject.
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/thepakistanexperience
To support the channel:
Jazzcash/Easypaisa - 0325 -2982912
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.
Instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikh
Facebook.com/Shehzadghias/
Twitter.com/shehzad89
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:15 TTP 2.0, Militancy and Afghan Policy
8:30 History of Militant Policy in Pakistan and Kashmir
14:00 ISI and the 1980s
17:49 Pakistan as a Frontline State
20:30 Benazir Bhutto's policy on militancy and her assassination's
28:30 Musharraf and Zia-ul-Haq
34:30 Lal Masjid, State Patronage and Legacy
43:00 Musharraf, Bugti and Baloch Insurgency
56:30 State Policy, Doctrines and 9th May
1:05:32 Audience Questions

Apr 6, 2024 • 27min
Democracy vs Dictatorship - - Stolen Elections 1977 to 2008 Shehzad Ghias - #TPE
The second part of the Stolen Election Series.
In this episode, we look at the elections held in Pakistan 1977 to 2008, how Zia-ul-Haq took over after the 1977 elections, how elections were manipulated through the 90s and how Musharaf derailed democracy again.
Was Corruption Institutionalized under Zia-ul-Haq?
Is the Pakistani awaam jahil?
Have military dictators been popular in Pakistan?
Find out this and more!
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/thepakistanexperience
The first part of the series:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SunxYsfHHG4
To support the channel:
Jazzcash/Easypaisa - 0325 -2982912
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.
Instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikh
Facebook.com/Shehzadghias/
Twitter.com/shehzad89

Apr 4, 2024 • 1h 50min
Pakistan's Security: Afghanistan, Taliban and TTP 2.0 - Ihsanullah Tipu Mehsud - #TPE 345
Ihsanullah Tipu Mehsud comes on The Pakistan Experience to discuss TTP 2.0, Taliban, Afghanistan, BLA, Balochistan, Iran-Pakistan missile crisis, PTM, Pakistan's policies and Security Situation.
Ihsanullah Tipu Mehsud is an Islamabad based Pakistani Journalist with over a decade of experience in print, online and television journalism. He extensively covers militancy, conflict, Jihadist movements, ideologies and other related security issues in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region. He is the Co-founder and Director News at The Khorasan Diary.
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/thepakistanexperience
To support the channel:
Jazzcash/Easypaisa - 0325 -2982912
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.
Instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikh
Facebook.com/Shehzadghias/
Twitter.com/shehzad89
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
2:12 BLA attack in Machh, Balochistan
7:30 Iran, Balochistan and BLA
15:00 Iran-Pakistan missile crisis
28:00 TTP, PTM and Afghanistan
46:00 Pakistan's failed policy in Afghanistan
57:00 Pakistan dealing with TTP; What's the solution
1:21:00 Audience Questions

Apr 1, 2024 • 2h 51min
200K Livestream with Mariam Goraya, Tamkenat Mansoor, Adeel Afzal and Ali Aftab Saeed
200K Livestream with Mariam Goraya, Tamkenat Mansoor, Adeel Afzal and Ali Aftab Saeed
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/thepakistanexperience
To support the channel:
Jazzcash/Easypaisa - 0325 -2982912
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.
Instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikh
Facebook.com/Shehzadghias/
Twitter.com/shehzad89

Mar 31, 2024 • 20min
History of Stolen Elections in Pakistan 1947-1970 - Shehzad Ghias - #TPE
In this episode, we look at the elections held in Pakistan 1947 to 1970, and the weak roots of democracy in Pakistan, from Muslim League's politics before partition to West Pakistan's hegemony over resources after partition, we see how the bureaucracy and the military leadership took control of Pakistan.
Why was India able to hold elections but Pakistan did not?
Why did Pakistan dismiss elected Governments in the provinces?
How did Ayub Khan defeat Fatima Jinnah?
Find out this and more on this explosive episode.
Sources:
Political Conflict of Pakistan by Mohammad Wasim
More to watch:
Episode on 1971:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBX4Q77ixO8
Episode on Separate Electorates:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlbBkxlssAw
Podcasts with Dr. Ilhan Niaz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66X3mV147JQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc39q_SRsBM
Podcast with Dr. Ishrat Hussain:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-n9FpXrvPU
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/thepakistanexperience
To support the channel:
Jazzcash/Easypaisa - 0325 -2982912
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.
Instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikh
Facebook.com/Shehzadghias/
Twitter.com/shehzad89

Mar 31, 2024 • 39min
Moin Akhtar, Anwar Maqsood and Karachi Literature Festival - Shehzad Ghias - #TPE
Addressing the KLF controversy
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/thepakistanexperience
To support the channel:
Jazzcash/Easypaisa - 0325 -2982912
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.
Instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikh
Facebook.com/Shehzadghias/
Twitter.com/shehzad89
Chapters:
0:00 KLF
5:00 Criticizing 'Legends'
10:00 History of Performing Arts in Pakistan
15:00 Problematic Jokes and Punching Down
21:00 Topic of the joke vs Target of the joke
30:00 Relegation of local languages and ethnicities
34:00 Philosophy of Comedy

Mar 29, 2024 • 1h 43min
Art, Power and Poetry - Harris Khalique on Vedic, Sanskrit and Arab roots of Pakistan - #TPE 344
Secretary General of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Harris Khalique comes on The Pakistan Experience to discuss Art, Power, Poetry, Misogyny, Education, Zia-ul-Haq, Language, Politics, PTI, Aesthetics, Memories of Karachi, I.A. Rehman and More.
Harris Khalique is a Pakistani poet in Urdu, English and Punjabi. Khalique has authored ten collections of poetry and two books of non-fiction. In March 2018, he received the Presidential Pride of Performance Award from the state of Pakistan as an acknowledgement of his contributions to poetry.He is also the author of Crimson Papers (2017), a book of essays on the political and social history of Pakistan.
Khalique has participated in labor, women, and minority rights movements and has published papers and spoken at conferences on South Asian history and culture, politics, and issues around human rights and international development.
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/thepakistanexperience
To support the channel:
Jazzcash/Easypaisa - 0325 -2982912
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.
Instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikh
Facebook.com/Shehzadghias/
Twitter.com/shehzad89
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:30 Vulgarity, Art and Aesthetics
6:30 Misogyny, Social Subversion and Power
14:00 Education, Zia-ul-Haq and Polarization
30:00 Urdu, Hindustani and Colonialism
44:00 Colonialism, India and Sanskrit History
56:00 Sindh, Karachi and Heroes in Pakistan
1:06:00 Memories of Karachi
1:15:24 I.A. Rehman
1:19:40 Audience Questions
1:36:00 Poetry