🇵🇰 Pakistan Episodes

Jami is a film maker and one of the most prominent directors in Pakistan. From directing commercials to some of the most popular music videos to his breathtaking feature film, 'Moor'.   A brave raw podcast; Jami begins talking about the state and the future of the film industry in Pakistan, from sponsorship in Film to a lack of a cinematic tradition in the country.   Jami then starts talking about the abundance of sexual coercion in the industry, going deep into his own story, from reading the letter at the Lahoti mela to going public with his own sexual abuse case, and how his own friends and journalists abandoned him after that.  Jami comes off as a beautiful soul in the podcast. He is a critical voice waving the flag for survivors and supporting the #MeToo movement in Pakistan.  The Pakistan Experience is a podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan, and Pakistanis, through the lost art of conversation.

From breaking onto the scene with the hit Alu Anday, Ali Aftab Saeed has been making music and using satire to give his political take for the past ten years. Ali Aftab Saaed is a musician, satirist and a journalist.  Ali comes on The Pakistan Experience to discuss satire, censorship, his personal history and Mohammad Asif.  The Pakistan Experience is a podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan, and Pakistanis, through the lost art of conversation.

The intellectual giant that is Tariq Ali - writer, historian, Film maker, dissenter - comes on the The Pakistan Experience to discuss a political history of Pakistan lived through the left.  From inspiring Mick Jagger and John Lennon to write songs to being on the Russell War Crimes Tribunal in Vietnam, From being a child watching Ahmadi shops being burnt down in Lahore to watching Imran Khan cave in to the might of the religious right, Tariq Ali has lived through it all and nobody tells history like he does; a history lived and viewed through the left.  On this episode, Tariq Ali tells stories of informing Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto a coup was being prepared against him and advising Benazir Bhutto multiple times. Tariq Ali also discusses political assassinations in Pakistan, why he thinks the USA got Bhutto killed and the real story behind the Rawalpindi Conspiracy case.  Do yourself a favour and listen to this for two hours; beautiful, articulate and insightful, Tariq Ali informs, as well as delights, with a retelling of his life.

Dr. Abdul Bari Khan, the visionary leader of The Indus Hospital, comes on The Pakistan Experience to discuss the current state of the Corona virus outbreak in Pakistan. Dr. Bari gives an analysis of where we stand devoid of political agendas or any partisanship; he discusses why a lockdown is necessary and what healthcare professionals need right now to fight this crisis.  The Pakistan Experience is a podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan, and Pakistanis, through the lost art of conversation.

WARNING: The Podcast contains profanity and strong language. Children and people who are easily offended should stay away.  Miss Phudina Chatni is the no holds barred drag comedy character created by Muhammad Moiz. She's feme, she's crass, she tells her story and she holds no prisoners. Deeply comfortable in her own skin, Miss Phudina Chatni, holds no punches back telling the stories of her sexual escapades.  On this episode of The Pakistan Experience Muhammad Moiz as Miss Phudina Chatni discusses the politics of drag comedy,  spiritual, sufism, ishq, gender theory and marginalization.  The Pakistan Experience is a podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan, and Pakistanis, through the lost art of conversation.

Hurmat Ali Shah got radicalized in Swat. He moved to UET for his college, where he joined the Tableeghi Jammat. After spending years in the organization working for them and preaching on their behalf, Hurmat left the organization due to ideological differences.   Hurmat comes on The Pakistan Experience to reflect on his journey - on why he joined and what made him quit.   The Pakistan Experience is a podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan, and Pakistanis, through the lost art of conversation.

Asim Sajjad Akhtar is a left wing politician, academic and columnist.   Asim comes on The Pakistan Experience to discuss the history of politics in Pakistan, from the leftist politics of the 70s to the emergence of PTI, Asim does an overview of how we got here discussing some of the forks in the road along the way.   The Pakistan Experience is a podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan, and Pakistanis, through the lost art of conversation.

Ammar Rashid, the President of Awami Workers Party Punjab, comes on The Pakistan Experience to discuss the role of the political left in Pakistan, especially after the Corona virus outbreak. Rashid weighs in on the successes of the Sanders and Corbyn campaigns, talks about being banned from appearing on television and discusses what solutions the left has for Pakistan right now. Ammar Rashid is a researcher, political worker and musician. The Pakistan Experience is a podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan, and Pakistanis, through the lost art of conversation.

Tamkenat comes on episode 33 (did you think we would make it this far?) of The Pakistan Experience to discuss her experience of being a content creator in Pakistan. How it is like to be yourself, face societal stigma and what it is like to be a woman in the public eye. Tamkenat talks about her work, her Corona scare and shares her thoughts on the current sociopolitical climate. The Pakistan Experience is a podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan, and Pakistanis, through the lost art of conversation.

Ammar Ali Jan has a doctorate degree in History from the University of Cambridge. Ammar has taught at GC and PU. Recently, Ammar got into hot waters on Twitter for calling PTI a fascist party, and people questioned Ammar's meeting with Bilawal Bhutto last year.  Ammar comes on The Pakistan Experience to discuss that meeting, why he faced sedition charges and got picked up in the middle of the night, and how we views the future of communism in the world, and Pakistan.  The Pakistan Experience is a podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan, and Pakistanis, through the lost art of conversation.

Sharmeen Khan is a therapist and a mental health counsellor. Sharmeen comes back on The Pakistan Experience to discuss how to best manage your stress and anxiety during the Corona virus quarantine. It is critical to take care of your mental health as well, Sharmeen discusses the impact this virus could have on mental health and how to best manage your day.    The Pakistan Experience is a podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan, and Pakistanis, through the lost art of conversation.

Vicky Zhuang Yi-Yin is a Chinese-Pakistani Drama Teacher and works for Olomopolo Media in Lahore. Recently, with Covid19 cases rising in the world Vicky faced racism with people calling 'Corona Corona' on the streets. Vicky comes on the latest episode of The Pakistan Experience to discuss the racist incidents, the Chinese-Pakistani community and to clear about any misconceptions about Chinese people in Pakistan. Vicky talks to Shehzad to share her experience living in Lahore as  a Chinese Pakistani - from growing up being bullied in school for being different to embracing her Pakistaniyat and becoming the amazing person that she is today. The Pakistan Experience is a podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan, and Pakistanis, through the lost art of conversation.

Nayab Gohar Jan is a progressive journalist, social activist and one of the organizers of the Aurat March.  She comes on The Pakistan Experience to discuss the feminist movement of Pakistan, her experience of being on a TV show with Khalil ur Rahman Qamar and the online trolling of the Aurat March.  The Pakistan Experience is a podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan, and Pakistanis, through the lost art of conversation.

How is Ali Gul Pir doing during the Corona Virus Lockdown?   The rapper/singer/songwriter joins us on The Pakistan Experience to tell stories of being stuck in Belgium, how he is dealing with the Quarantine and discuss online trolling.   Our third guest on our Quarantined session series, Ali Gul Pir is a comedian, content creator and a genuine superstar, and an even more genuine human being.

In our second quarantined session, Uzair Younus is back to discuss the state of the economy and the government during the Corona Virus pandemic.  Should Pakistan reduce the interest rate? How has PTI performed so far? What needs to be done after we are out on the other side?  Watch as we discuss the present and future of this global pandemic on this episode of The Pakistan Experience.

Our studio has been quarantined so we are trying to make do by recording the podcast over the internet. On the first episode, we have Ali Lakhani back with us to tell us how to manage our mental health during the Corona virus lockdown. Worrying about things we cannot control with only lead to anxiety and stress - it is better to focus on yourself and work towards improving yourself each day. Ali Lakhani is a Therapist, Counselor and a Life Coach. He struggled with addiction himself for 19 years and now helps others combat addiction. Ali helps run a drug rehab center in Karachi.

Two stand up comedians walk into a bar......and it becomes a depressive conversation about stand up comedy.  Akbar Chaudhry, a stand up comedian and the host of Chai, Toast aur Host on Dawn News, comes on The Pakistan Experience to have an academic discussion on stand up comedy dissecting the politics of joke and talking about his own journey.  Akbar talks about cancel culture, offensive comedy and the role of a stand up comedian in society on this episode of The Pakistan Experience.  The Pakistan Experience is a podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan, and Pakistanis, through the lost art of conversation.

Faiza Saleem is a comedian and a social media sensation. She also leads the all female improv troupe, The Khawatoons.   Faiza sits down with Shehzad to discuss the current social media climate. The Pakistan Experience is a podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan, and Pakistanis, through the lost art of conversation.

Samar Naqvi is the COO of the Karachi Down Syndrome Program and used to work at the Network of Organizations Working with People with Disabilities. She is a Fulbright Scholar holding a Masters from NYU.   Samar is also a therapist.  Shehzad and Samar sit down to talk about the NGO culture and how people talk about mental health and disabilities in Pakistan.  The Pakistan Experience is a podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan, and Pakistanis, through the lost art of conversation.

Sharmeen Khan is a Therapist, Clinical Psychologist and a Theta healer.   Sharmeen Khan was also Shehzad's therapist; on this episode of The Pakistan Experience she sits down with Shehzad to talk about what therapy is and what a therapy session looks like.  The Pakistan Experience is a podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan, and Pakistanis, through the lost art of conversation.