🇵🇰 Pakistan Episodes

Be part of our community by joining our Facebook group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/thoughtbehindthings In conversation with Ismat Gul Khattak, Director General of Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC), this episode explores accreditation body of Pakistan. What accreditation is? What role they play in export and import of Pakistan? What’s her background? How she was able to achieve all that she has? Was her visit to 50 different countries for professional arrangements? What’s ‘Gateway to Halal Trade’ conference is all about? What are the opportunities for Pakistan in ‘Halal accreditation’? Why are we still stuck in ‘government job mentality'? Tune in to know more on her interesting story, on how despite being a female she made it all possible for her, what’s her message to youth and where she sees Pakistan in coming years! Follow us on Instagram: • https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings • https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan Ismat Gul Khattak’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/IsmatGulKhattak

Sami Shah is a Pakistani Stand-up comedian who has now moved to Australia to become one of the top performing comedians in the country. Sami is also an author, after winning numerous awards for his autobiographical work, "I Migrant", Sami ventured into fantasy fiction with 'Earth Boy' and 'Boy of Fire and Earth'.   Sami Shah comes on the podcast to discuss how he found his voice performing Stand up comedy - Sami discusses being on the scene of the Karsaz bomb blast reporting live then going to perform a packed comedy show just days later.    We get into a deep dive discussion about unresolved trauma, the sad clown troupe, comedy and depression, suicidal ideation, living as a Shia in Pakistan, immigration and the hate asylum seekers get.   There is also some reminiscing of the Karachi Sami remembers.   Sami tweets at:  https://twitter.com/samishah     Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.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. He can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tinder.  https://www.facebook.com/Shehzadgs/ https://twitter.com/shehzad89 https://instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikh   Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:15 How I started doing Stand up comedy 5:30 Organizing shows in Pakistan 7:15 Comedy as Catharsis 11:00 People going after Comedians online 15:00 Writing Satire in Pakistan 19:00 Aurat March in Australia and Pakistan  22:30 Reporting on the Karsaz Bomb Blast 27:10 Comedy as a coping mechanism 30:00 Unresolved Trauma and Toxic masculinity 40:00 Refugees and Asylum Seekers 49:00 Living with death threats  53:00 Humainzing through Comedy 55:00 Criticizing Australia as a Pakistani 59:30 Doing Comedy over Zoom 1:02:30 Opening for Sami Shah 1:03:30 Being comfortable yourself on stage 1:11:00 Nanette and the evolution of the form  1:19:15 Suicidal Ideation 1:20:30 Comedy and Depression 1:33:22 Atheism  1:40:00 Ex Muslims and Islamophobia 1:53:00 On Grief 1:55:00 Fantasy Fiction writing 2:03:00 The Creative Process 2:13:00 Expats 2:15:30 Remembering Karachi 2:18:00 Musharaf's enlightened moderation 2:24:00 Building a Comedy culture

Be part of our community by joining our Facebook group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/thoughtbehindthings In conversation with Faheem Azam, a Multipotentialite, having many interests and creative pursuits. He’s a writer, director, actor, stand-up comedy performer. This episode explores Faheem’s journey and the insights he has to offer on the media industry. How he got into media side of things? How has he groomed himself in all art forms? How he became part of ‘Teeli’? Why theatre in Islamabad faced declined after Musharraf? How was his experience working ‘Parey Hut Love’? Where he sees films of Pakistan today? What is the future of films? Why we are not able explore new forms of storytelling? Tune in to know more on Standup comedy space, art culture in Pakistan, disconnect with masses and importance of strong scripts! Follow us on Instagram: • https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings • https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan Faheem Azam’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faheemazam

Be part of our community by joining our Facebook group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/thoughtbehindthings In conversation with Mazher Arshad, this episode explores PSL and cricket in Pakistan. How he got interested into cricket statistics. What happened to PSL6? When PSL will resume? Is PSL a world-class league? How lucrative it is? How much profitable PSL is for franchises? To what extent, technology is being used in cricketing? Why PSL franchises have not been able to build an association with fans? How much local talent PSL has produced? Tune in to know about  First-class cricket, Future of Test cricket, PCB, Pakistan cricket team and more! Follow us on Instagram: • https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings • https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan Mazher Arshad’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/MazherArshad

Junaid Fazal runs a cosmetics distribution business and an investment company that funds SMEs, Junaid found religion after graduating and has been on a spiritual path ever since.    Junaid also happens to be an old friend of mine, I invited him on the podcast to discuss misconceptions about the Aurat March that ended up being a much wider conversation about how religion is misused in our society.   The social media echo chambers make it seem like there are two Pakistans: A liberal one and a conservative one but both groups have a lot more in common than they have to hate each other, something they will find out if they just talk to each other.   The two Pakistans are fully in conversation this week as Junaid and I discuss the propaganda against the Aurat March, how anchors use outrage for clicks/views, how we have pushed militancy, "the religion card", Islamic banking, and how Junaid found God.     Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.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. He can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tinder.  https://www.facebook.com/Shehzadgs/ https://twitter.com/shehzad89  https://instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikh Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:08 Misconceptions about the Aurat March 10:31 Womens Rights 15:44 Propoganda against Aurat March 19:30 Madrassa Education  23:50 Riyasat of Madina and Capitalism 26:50 Intolerance  28:44 Islamic Banking  38:00 Shariah and Science 42:00 Islam and socialism 50:00 Tax Evasion and Charity 58:45 Secularism and the Islamic state 1:07:30 Economic strife and Extremism 1:16:00 Misinformation 1:23:55 Polarization and Politics 1:31:30 How Junaid found God 2:04:53 The guilt of the artist 2:08:55 Reminiscing LUMS

Lilith and Mariam Shafqat Goraya join us to co-host the special podcast on the Aurat March. We are also joined by Amna Shafqat, Sajeer Shaikh, Ekta Shaikh and Usman Rana with other special guests dropping by.  Maleeha Mengal from Shirkat Gah comes to talk about marginalized communities organizing together.  Qurrat Mirza, organizer Aurat March Karachi, comes on to discuss the labour of organizing the Aurat March. Moiz also drops by here.  Maria Malik, organizer Aurat March Islamabad, joins to talk about the left, the state and ressistance.  Manal Faheem Khan (Journalist - Formerly working at Cutacut) and Hamna Zubair  (Journalist - Formerly working at DAWN) talk about Journalism, how these movements are covered by the media, and the coverage of the #MeToo movement in Pakistan.  Aisha Khan, Stand-up Comedian, comes on to discuss notions of divorce we have in our society. Areesha Banglani (Anthropologist specializing in Gender) also joins us.  Preh Memon of RantsinyourPants on Instagram talks about creating feminist content and imposter syndrome.   Finally, Khaya Ahmed joins us for some wholesomeness and we end with our signature Bachodiyan!

Lilith and Mariam Shafqat Goraya join us to co-host the special podcast on the Aurat March. We are also joined by Amna Shafqat, Sajeer Shaikh, Ekta Shaikh and Usman Rana with other special guests dropping by.  Maleeha Mengal from Shirkat Gah comes to talk about marginalized communities organizing together.  Qurrat Mirza, organizer Aurat March Karachi, comes on to discuss the labour of organizing the Aurat March. Moiz also drops by here.  Maria Malik, organizer Aurat March Islamabad, joins to talk about the left, the state and ressistance.  Manal Faheem Khan (Journalist - Formerly working at Cutacut) and Hamna Zubair  (Journalist - Formerly working at DAWN) talk about Journalism, how these movements are covered by the media, and the coverage of the #MeToo movement in Pakistan.  Aisha Khan, Stand-up Comedian, comes on to discuss notions of divorce we have in our society. Areesha Banglani (Anthropologist specializing in Gender) also joins us.  Preh Memon of RantsinyourPants on Instagram talks about creating feminist content and imposter syndrome.   Finally, Khaya Ahmed joins us for some wholesomeness and we end with our signature Bachodiyan!

Dr. Shahram Azhar is a Marxist and Professor of Economics at Bucknell University, Pennsylvania. Dr Shahram Azhar is also a lover of poetry and a singer, he was the former lead singer of the band 'Laal'.    Shahram comes on The Pakistan Experience for a deep dive discussion on the Pakistani left and the economy of Pakistan.    We discuss: 1. Why the Pakistani left is stuck in the 1960s 2. The erosion of decency in Pakistani politics 3. The role of the establishment in politics 4. The role of PPP and the legacy of Benazir Bhutto 5. How Marxism can shape the future 6. Has PTI failed to manage the economy?  7. Has the hybrid regime failed? 8. Colonialism 9. Why God has blessed Shahram Azhar with such a beautiful voice    The Pakistan Experience is an independently produced podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan, and Pakistanis, through the lost art of conversation. We do deep dive long form podcasts to show you the many shades that encapsulate The Pakistan Experience.  Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.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. He can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tinder.  https://www.facebook.com/Shehzadgs/ https://twitter.com/shehzad89 https://instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikh

Be part of our community by joining our Facebook group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/thoughtbehindthings In conversation with Rehan Allahwala, this episode explores the power technology has and can technology change the way how politics is done. How has he got into tech? What’s his journey has been like? What is he working on now? What ‘Insan party’ is? What’s his motive with it? Why are we running after macros changes instead of micro? Tune in to know more the impact of technology on politics and are our goals for future grounded? Follow us on Instagram: • https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings • https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan Rehan Allahwala’s socials: · https://www.instagram.com/rehanallahwala · http://rehanallahwala.com/

Be part of our community by joining our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thoughtbehindthings In conversation with Mirza Abeer, CEO at ASAP- Association for Smoking Alternatives in Pakistan, this episode explores smoking alternatives that can used. Was Abeer a smoker? How he came up with the idea of ASAP. What are the different alternatives available for the smokers? Is vaping safer than smoking cigarettes? What are the health repercussions of those alternatives? Do e-cigarettes cause lung cancer? Where will big tobaccos go in the future? How can he make these alternatives budget friendly? How to mass market them. Tune in to know more on ASAP and the future they are trying to build with this platform! Follow us on Instagram: • https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings • https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan ASAP socials: Website: http://www.asapakistan.org Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ASAPak Twitter: http://twitter.com/quitsmokesasap Instagram: http://instagram.com/quitsmokeasap

Be part of our community by joining our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thoughtbehindthings In conversation with Saad Munawar, the first person to traverse all 3 highest mountain ranges in the world covering 665km in 23 days, this episode explores the incident of Ali Sadpara and mountaineering as a sport. How he got into this sport. What his relationship with Ali Sadpara was like? What his documentary was about? What was the vision of Ali Sadpara? Has Saad done any international expedition? What’s an estimated cost of doing an expedition? What was the criticism on Ali Sadpara’s incident? Tune in to know more on mountaineering as an industry, Saad’s books, and future opportunities this sport can offer! Follow us on Instagram: • https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings • https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan Saad Munawar’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saad.munawar.1

Kapil Dev is a Hindu rights activist living in Pakistan.    Kapil Dev comes on The Pakistan Experience to discuss the discrimination he has faced as a Hindu in Pakistan, facing backlash online, dealing with Pakistani Expats and the state of Tharparkar.  Kapil also discusses the recent post by Aamir Liaquat Hussain. The Pakistan Experience is an independently produced podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan, and Pakistanis, through the lost art of conversation. We do deep dive long form podcasts to show you the many shades that encapsulate The Pakistan Experience.   Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.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. He can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tinder.  https://www.facebook.com/Shehzadgs/ https://twitter.com/shehzad89 https://instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikh

One of your favourite guests, Natalia Gul, returns to the podcast after her wedding for a check in about married life, her work with The Jungle and radical comedy.   Natalia tells us how she fell in love, discusses how she got married and tells us how she is living her life these days. Always a pleasure to listen to her!   Natalia Gul is a stand up comedian and content creator. She runs a company called 'The Jungle' in Karachi that specializes in live events.   The Pakistan Experience is an independently produced podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan, and Pakistanis, through the lost art of conversation. We do deep dive long form podcasts to show you the many shades that encapsulate The Pakistan Experience.   Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.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. He can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tinder.  https://www.facebook.com/Shehzadgs/ https://twitter.com/shehzad89 https://instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikh

Be part of our community by joining our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thoughtbehindthings In conversation with Asim Ismail Jafrani, chairman Al-Wasila Trust, this episode explores how charity can be done in multiple ways. How long he has been doing his charity work? What motivated him? How Al-Wasila is impacting lives? What are his other ventures i.e., ‘Rehan Sehan’, ‘Powerbox’, ‘Saya Homes’, ‘Safaiwala’, ‘Ishara foundation’? How it has been working for him so far? What challenges and disappointments he had to face? Tune in to know more on what he is doing for the education sector, why we are still not able to eradicate our economic problems and what our youth needs to learn! Follow us on Instagram: • https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings • https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan To know more about Al-Wasila Trust visit http://alwasila.org For Monetary Donations: 03008207294 To Donate your Dry waste: 03150299911 (Safaiwala) To Donate any household item: 03331006437 (Rehan Sehan) To Apply for interest-free loans: 03133113411 (Rozgar) To order a Powerbox: 03331006435 To know more about Saya Homes visit http://saya.org.pk

Be part of our community by joining our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thoughtbehindthings In conversation with Laeeq Ahmad, this episode explores investments in stocks. Why investments are important and necessary? How to define which stock to invest in. What are the fundamentals to consider before investing? What areas of investments are Sharia Complaint? Why Laeeq invested in stock exchange rather than investing on business or real estate? What compound investment is? Why stock market gives you more return? Tune in to know about Sarmaaya.pk, how to learn about investments, ETF’s and more! Follow us on Instagram: • https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings • https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan Laeeq Ahmad’s Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/luckylaeeq Sarmaaya.pk: https://sarmaaya.pk/

Be part of our community by joining our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thoughtbehindthings In conversation with Professor Ahsan Malik, this episode explores scope of engineering in the coming future. When and why, he got into teaching engineering? What are the major opportunities for hardware engineering? What are the opportunities of it in developing nations? Has student’s mentality evolved over time? What can a student do to become a well-rounded member of the industry? What is the importance of soft skills? Tune in to know more on the global question of will universities be part of our future? Follow us on Instagram: • https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings • https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan Ahsan Malik's Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ahsensworld

Karamat Ali is a labour rights activist and the Executive Director of the Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research in Pakistan.An eminent labour and development activist for the last four decades, Karamat Ali is the founding member of PILER.   We get into a deep dive discussion about why there is so much apathy in the country about the issue of Bonded Labour and what happened at the Baldia Factory fire.   How big an issue is Bonded Labour?  What is the state and future of Labour movements in Pakistan?   This is the seventh and last of our seven part special series in collaboration with the Pak-US Alumni Network titled, 'Conversations for Change', where we discuss pressing social issues, and have conversations about them with experts.  The Pakistan Experience is an independently produced podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan, and Pakistanis, through the lost art of conversation. We do deep dive long form podcasts to show you the many shades that encapsulate The Pakistan Experience.   Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.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. He can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tinder.  https://www.facebook.com/Shehzadgs/ https://twitter.com/shehzad89 https://instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikh

Be part of our community by joining our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thoughtbehindthings In conversation with Hisham Sarwar, this episode explores his journey and freelancing. When he started? How has he started? How long he has been self-employed? How he became mainstream with Digi skills? Importance of client retention. Does freelancing has a future? What’s the next plan for freelancing? What was his thought behind his blog? Tune in to know on digital divide, importance of women in tech and more! Follow us on Instagram: • https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings • https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan Hisham Sarwar’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hishamsarwar

Dr. Taimur Rahman is a Professor at LUMS, leads the band 'Laal', is the General Secretary of the Mazdoor Kissan Party and a leftist social activist.  Taimur comes on the podcast to make a case for Marxism being the best system of governance for Pakistan.  In this deep dive discussion, we discuss how the state of Pakistan can move towards poverty alleviation, escape the debt trap and the state of the organized left in Pakistan.   What is classical Marxism? Is Communism the answer to our issues? Is the notion of the state archaic?  Hear us discuss 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, and Pakistanis, through the lost art of conversation. We do deep dive long form podcasts to show you the many shades that encapsulate The Pakistan Experience.   Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.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. He can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tinder.  https://www.facebook.com/Shehzadgs/ https://twitter.com/shehzad89 https://instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikh

Be part of our community by joining our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thoughtbehindthings In conversation with Fasieh Mehta, this episode explores how to start a successful business. What’s the entrepreneurship environment in Pakistan? What is seed level funding? What’s the prospect of a young graduate stepping into startups? How buy in business model works? What makes a good startup? What are the challenges faced by small scale businesses? What’s techno creative person? Is there a demand for them? Tune in to know more on why Pakistan’s success stories are not documented enough and where will Pakistan be in the next five years! Follow us on Instagram: • https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings • https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan Fasieh Mehta’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fasiehmehta/