Pakistonomy

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 situation like? 7:50 Key issues of constituents 14:50 How people vote 24:10 Hamza’s electoral strategy 29:40 Islamabad’s governance challenge 33:30 Why younger people should enter politics 37:20 Reading recommendations Reading recommendations: - Leadership on the line by Marty Linsky and Ronald Heifetz - For the Record by David Cameron

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 the New Lines Institute. Previously, he served as Director of Analytical Development Department from 2019 to 2023. Dr. Bokhari is also a national security and foreign policy specialist at the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute. Bokhari has also served as the Central Asia Studies Course Coordinator at U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Service Institute. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 2:30 Why did Iran attack Pakistan? 11:20 Assessing Pakistan’s response 20:20 Iran’s broader calculus 27:50 Did Pakistan strike the right balance? 43:50 What comes next? Podcast on Iran protests - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpUPncr5Mrs Reading Recommendations: - https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/experts-react-whats-really-going-on-with-pakistan-and-iran-exchanging-attacks/ - https://www.usip.org/publications/2024/01/making-sense-iran-pakistan-cross-border-strikes - https://amwaj.media/article/exclusive-inside-the-iranian-pakistani-exchange-of-fire-nbsp

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 Introduction 1:50 IMF review 13:05 Caretaker reforms 19:40 Elections and legitimacy 30:30 A new triumvirate and its implications 41:50 What to look for

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 strategy 36:20 Scenarios and hybrid regime 41:10 New mandate and legitimacy 49:40 What is the vision for Pakistan? 55:05 Conclusion Reading recommendations: - Zahid Hussain’s latest piece - https://www.dawn.com/news/1783550/trying-for-a-fourth-term - Arifa Noor’s article in Dawn - https://www.dawn.com/news/1802553/the-centre-cannot-hold

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 empathy and a passion to change things. Sabina Khatri is the visionary Founder of Kiran Foundation (KF), a non-profit organization she established in response to a distressing incident of child abuse and domestic violence. Guided by an unyielding commitment to creating positive change, Sabina's journey began in 2004 and has since evolved into a transformative force in Lyari. KF's innovative Mother and Child, Trauma-Informed Education System, rooted in values such as compassion, ownership, responsibility, and empathy, reflects Sabina's dedication to holistic growth for both mothers and children. Over a decade of direct community involvement underscores her mission to provide marginalized families with a nurturing environment and quality education, transcending socio-economic barriers. In 2020, she was awarded the 'Sitara-e-Imtiaz' by the government of Pakistan. You can learn more about the Kiran Foundation here – www.kiranfoundation.org Watch this video about the foundation’s graduates - https://youtu.be/d2RFHHBIqrQ?feature=shared Reading recommendations: - Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl - When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress by Gabor Maté - Dibs in Search of Self by Virginia Axline - The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

Dr. Bilal Khatri, a researcher in Germany, discusses his journey from studying in Pakistan to pursuing a PhD in Germany. They explore the differences in scientific education between the two countries and the importance of teaching the scientific method. They also share insights on how young students from Pakistan can do cutting-edge research in Europe and provide tips on settling in a non-English speaking country.

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. Since joining the Council in 2012, she has played a key role in shaping the direction and growth of the Council’s Middle East related programming, publications, outreach and development and has been instrumental in advancing relationships with vital stakeholders including donors, board members, and high-level contacts. In addition to managing a team of Washington-based fellows and staff, her research focuses on political reform, civil society, and human rights broadly in the region, with a special focus on Jordan. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 2:35 Contextualizing this moment 8:45 Hamas’ strategic calculus 12:40 Palestinian views right now 17:10 Regional situation 21:33 Scenarios to keep in mind 25:30 Biden admin’s response 32:30 China’s response 36:08 Reading recommendations Reading recommendations: - The Hundred Years' War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi - I Saw Ramallah by Mourid Barghouti

Zafar Masud, President and CEO of The Bank of Punjab, discusses transitioning away from a cash economy in Pakistan. Topics include reducing cash in circulation, fiscal deficits, demonetization in Pakistan and India, financial inclusion, debt restructuring, and the importance of banks and cultural understanding.

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 organisations, and governments to solve their most pressing challenges. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:30 Overview of the climate crisis 6:40 Capital needs and debt 13:24 Taxing to become client resilient 17:00 Youth involvement 23:25 Capacity issues in Pakistan 26:50 Role of finance 32:20 Focus for 2024 and beyond 44:00 Optimizing the economy 51:10 Conclusion

Asim Kidwai, co-founder and CEO at LOKAL, talks about Pakistan's tourism sector and how LOKAL is scaling an affordable tourism ecosystem. They discuss modernizing hotels, the state of the tourism industry, market growth strategy, hiring the right talent, and scaling in an economic crisis. Asim also gives reading recommendations and reflects on Anthony Bourdain's impact on travel.