Pakistonomy

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 research and business analysis. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:55 IMF’s focus for Pakistan 9:30 Taxes in the budget 22:50 Cost of energy 36:30 Privatization outlook 47:20 Political space for reforms

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 financial sectors. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:35 Current state of play 12:00 What Pakistan needs to get right 19:20 Engagement with IMF 27:20 What is Saudi seeking from Pakistan? 32:30 Risks to watch for 38:20 Conclusion

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 discussed the upcoming budget, the finance minister’s priorities, and how he can secure his position in the cabinet. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 2:00 Interest rates and the IMF 16:20 Saudi Arabia’s interest in Pakistan 24:45 Role of geopolitics in Saudi conversations 32:18 Budget and reforms outlook 39:05 How long will the finance minister last?

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 South Asia Region and a Global Lead for the Welfare Impacts of Climate Change at the World Bank. Her work, at the intersection of research and policy, has been published in leading journals in economics and development, including the American Economic Review, the Review of Economic Studies and the Review of Economics and Statistics. Her current research focuses on the effect of public policies on human development, and the impact of climate change and environmental degradation on the agri-food system and its implications for human health, poverty, and inequality. Her recent reports include When Water becomes a Hazard (2018), and the Pakistan Country Climate and Development Report (2022). She holds a PhD in economics from Boston University. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 3:05 Nature and scale of crisis 18:10 Water and stunting 25:50 Ways to solve for this 31:50 Climate change and stunting 48:50 What have other countries done? 55:30 What can the government do? 59:10 What can parents do? 1:09:00 Reading recommendations Reading Recommendations: - An Agricultural Testament by Albert Howard - The Soil and Health by Albert Howard - Farmers of Forty Centuries by Franklin H. King - Dirt: The Erosion of Civilization by David Montgomery

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 Commerce & Industry (OICCI). OICCI is the oldest (since 1860) chamber of commerce in Asia. OICCI’s members comprising of 210 foreign investors collectively contribute about one third of the total tax revenue of Pakistan besides being the leader in transfer of technology and investment. Mr Abdul Aleem has worked in senior positions in both Exxon Chemicals and Engro Corporation, serving in Pakistan and Singapore. Thereafter, he worked with British American Tobacco Group UK (BAT) in Pakistan and overseas, where he ultimately served as CEO of BAT Operations in Cambodia, Mauritius, and Indian Ocean territory. Since 2004, he has served in senior positions with large Government-owned organizations in Pakistan and his last assignment was as the Managing Director, Pakistan State Oil Company Ltd. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 4:30 The role of foreign investors 13:30 Key issues and solutions for the economy 22:20 Why are investors kept away from policymaking? 26:40 Key traits for emerging talent 33:25 Learning from failure 36:40 Reform priorities 42:40 Judicial reforms 46:05 Reading recommendations Reading Recommendations: - CEO Excellence by Carolyn Dewar, Scott Keller, and Vikram Malhotra - Prosperity: Better Business Makes the Greater Good by Colin Mayer

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-pathways-9786277626198 Dr. Ishrat Husain started his career as member of Civil Service of Pakistan and then spent over two decades at the World Bank 1979-1999, where among many key positions, he became the Bank’s Chief Economist for Africa, Director Poverty and Social Department, Country Director for Central Asian Republics. He completed two terms as Governor of State Bank of Pakistan 1999-2005 and has been appointed to chair various commissions and other boards. In addition to his role as public policy practitioner in national and international arenas he has also taken active interest in scholarly pursuits. He is author of twenty four books , prominent being Governing the Ungovernable and The Economy of an Elitist state published by Oxford University Press . He has been awarded several international and national awards including the highest civilian award of Nishan e Imtiaz. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 4:00 India’s reform success 12:00 Role of common sense economics 18:30 The role of unconstitutional interventions 30:45 Trading with India 35:50 Bangladesh’s keys to success 42:15 Military Inc and its role 46:20 Growing the pie v. distributing wealth 50:35 Outlook for Pakistan’s economy 56:10 Reading recommendations Reading Recommendations - Search for Stability edited by Maleeha Lodhi

National security expert Jasmine El-Gamal discusses Israel's campaign against Hamas, Western leaders' disconnect from public opinion, and the importance of empathy-based foreign policy. Topics include Israel's strategy, double standards in Washington, building coalitions, and impacts on US policy.

Khadija Shahper Bakhtiar, CEO of Teach For Pakistan, discusses the fellowship program and challenges in Pakistan's education sector. Topics include improving education outcomes, criteria for fellows, devolving education, and reading recommendations.

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 supports clients navigating the region’s complex political and regulatory environments to build business strategies across a variety of sectors, including banking and finance, hospitality, manufacturing, and technology. With almost a decade’s experience as a journalist in Indonesia, including three years in a senior role at BBC News, Mehu has a strong knowledge of Southeast Asia and a far-reaching network of contacts. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 2:40 Overview of the political landscape 24:50 Role of social media 30:01 Rigging allegations 35:28 Foreign policy implications 39:25 Economic policies 44:49 Reading recommendations 47:40 Role of the Indonesian military Reading recommendations: - Indonesia, Etc. by Elizabeth Pisani - Departure: A Novel by Nh. Dini - Indonesian Food by Sri Owen

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 the PTI, and what comes next for the party, both in the courts and in assemblies. You can follow Taimur on X @taimur_malik. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 2:50 Status of NA-148 election 12:30 PPP’s response to the results 19:00 Campaigning in Multan for the PTI 28:00 Overall appeals of the PTI 37:50 PTI’s alliance with the SIC 44:40 PTI’s strategy moving forward 49:38 Reading recommendations Reading Recommendations - The Constitution of Pakistan - Nuskha ha-e Wafa bu Faiz Ahmed Faiz - The Lean Startup by Eric Ries