In this episode, Uzair talks to Ali Khizar about the ongoing dynamics in Pakistan's foreign exchange market, why the rupee is overvalued, and how interest rate cuts without depreciation of the currency would be a bad idea. You can read Ali's recent piece on this topic here: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40396210
In this episode, Uzair talks to Anna Twum about Pakistan’s export potential, how import tariffs hurt the export economy, and the ways in which Pakistan’s $60bn export potential can be met. Anna Twum is an economist at the World Bank and recently helped write the Pakistan Economic Update published by the World Bank. You can read the full report here: https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/972c49ee47cc09d4face97b09ea64362-0310012025/original/Pakistan-Development-Update-Staying-the-Course-for-Growth-...
In this episode, Uzair talks to Zeeshan Khattak, Commissioner at the Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) about the deepening of financial markets in Pakistan and the ways in which the SECP is trying to expand access to finance at the individual and corporate level. Mr. Zeeshan Rehman Khattak joined the SECP as Commissioner in November 2024. He has over two decades of local and international experience in Real Estate Investment & Management, Regulatory Affairs, Wealth Mana...
In this episode, Uzair Younus sits down with Kamran Bokhari to unpack the implications of the landmark Mutual Defence Agreement recently signed between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. With both nations pledging that “any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both,” the agreement marks a significant moment in bilateral military cooperation. Uzair and Kamran explore what motivated this pact, including the evolving regional security dynamics—particularly rising tens...
In this episode, Uzair talks to Ashish Pradhan about the revolution in Nepal and what comes next for the country. We focused on the underlying factors that led to the outburst of protests across the country, how the royalists tried to capture power, and what the priorities of the new interim prime minister are. We also talked about the role of foreign powers in the country, especially India and China. Ashish Pradhan is Senior Adviser to the President at International Crisis Group where he suppor...
In this episode, Uzair talks to Khurram Husain about the ongoing economic situation in Pakistan where the foreign currency market is under strain. We discuss what is driving this shift, and how “over-extraction” is the policy focus right now in the country. We also spoke about protests in the region and what they tell us about the role of economic discontent and the limits of repression in socieities. You can read Khurram’s latest columns here: https://www.dawn.com/news/1939561/extracting-dollar...
Uzair talks to Pranay Kotasthane about the growing tensions in U.S.–India economic relations and the difficult road ahead for deeper trade integration. We discuss what went wrong in the bilateral relationship after the high-profile Trump Modi summit, the domestic political constraints that make agricultural and dairy sector reforms difficult in India, and why India’s reliance on fiscal incentives like PLI may not be the silver bullet for manufacturing growth. We also explore whether India’s deci...
Dr. Irfan Nooruddin discusses the strained US-India relationship, highlighting Trump's transactional approach, the impact of tariffs, and US criticism of India's oil trade with Russia. The conversation delves into India's domestic political constraints, its historical non-alignment stance, and the challenges around H-1B visas and illegal immigration. It explores how India's overestimation of its importance and misjudgment of Trump's administration have led to a difficult foreign policy crossroads, necessitating hard strategic choices.
Uzair talks to Dr. Neda Bolourchi about the recent Israel-Iran-US conflict and its key takeaways. We also talked about whether the Iranian government is secure, the chances of diplomacy working, and Iran’s future role in the Middle East. Dr. Neda Bolourchi is an interdisciplinary Middle East scholar and Associate Director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Rutgers-New Brunswick. Her work includes international and comparative human rights legal analysis and foreign policy studies. Chapt...
Uzair Yunus and Khurram Husain critically examine Pakistan's 2025 budget, labeling it an "elephantine mediocrity" for missing a crucial opportunity to implement bold reforms despite a period of political and economic calm. They discuss the budget's anti-poor bias, particularly regarding solar panel taxation, and delve into how Pakistan's historical ability to extract geopolitical rents from global powers has consistently undermined the political will for sustainable internal economic and social transformation, arguing this pattern will likely continue.
ڈاکٹر کامران بخاری کے ساتھ اس گفتگو میں ٹرمپ انتظامیہ کے خارجہ پالیسی کے اہداف پر گہرائی سے نظر ڈالی گئی ہے، خاص طور پر امریکہ کے عالمی پولیس مین کے کردار سے پیچھے ہٹنے، یورپ کی دفاعی خود مختاری کی حوصلہ افزائی، اور روس-چین تعلقات کی پیچیدگیوں کو اجاگر کیا گیا ہے۔ اس میں مشرق وسطیٰ میں ایران جوہری ڈیل اور سعودی عرب کے بڑھتے ہوئے کردار کے ساتھ ساتھ بحر الکاہل میں چین کے ابھرتے ہوئے خطرے پر امریکہ کی حکمت عملی کا بھی تجزیہ کیا گیا ہے۔ آخر میں، یہ بحث بھارت-پاکستان کے حالیہ تنازعہ اور امریکی ترجیحات میں دہشت گردی سے ہٹ کر بڑے طاقتوں کے مقابلے کی طرف تبدیلی کو بھی واضح کرتی ہے۔
Uzair talks to Dr. Sahar Khan about her key takeaways from the recent India-Pakistan war and why this conflict was an inflection point. We also talked about the role of international diplomacy, particularly the United States. Finally, the conversation also looked at what could happen in the next crisis, and the ways in which better engagement could avert total disaster. Dr. Sahar Khan is an independent analyst and an expert on South Asian regional dynamics and strategic stability. She is based i...
Colonel Ajai Shukla discusses the post-Pahalgam terror attack situation in Kashmir, refuting claims of normalcy and highlighting the complex interplay of political changes and shifting local loyalties that fuel the insurgency. He examines the evolution of militant tactics, intelligence challenges, and questions the clarity of evidence linking the attack directly to Pakistan, considering its current strategic priorities. The conversation then explores the heated India-Pakistan rhetoric, the theatrical nature of military posturing, and the critical need for statesmanship to prevent further escalation, with a nuanced look at Pakistan's leadership dynamics.
Uzair Yunus and Dr. Hassan Abbas delve into the dangerous standoff between India and Pakistan after a recent terror attack in Kashmir, discussing the deteriorating bilateral relations, the role of various militant groups, and the impact of nationalistic media narratives. They examine the allegations and lack of evidence from both sides, the strategic calculations including nuclear options, and the nuanced role of the United States. The conversation concludes with a strong call for both nations to engage in self-reflection and pursue negotiation, emphasizing the potential for peace through joint investigations and third-party mediation to break the recurring cycle of conflict.
Uzair talks to Muhammad Faisal about the fallout from the recent terror attack in Kashmir and the options both India and Pakistan have moving forward. We talk about the nuclear stability risks in the region as well as potential off-ramps that can help deescalate the situation. Muhammad Faisal is a Research Fellow at the University of Technology in Sydney and an expert in strategic stability and India-Pakistan relations. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 2:30 What led to this crisis? 15:40 Options for ...
In this episode, Uzair talks to Adil Husain about his perspective on how AI is going to disrupt the labor market and create new opportunities for young talent in markets like Pakistan. Adil is an entrepreneur and strategist based in Washington. You can read his full piece here - https://adilhusain.substack.com/p/the-real-ai-threat-is-a-27-year-old If you want to get in touch with Adil, message him on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adilhusain
In this episode, Uzair talk to Abdul Moiz Jaferii about the frivolous cases against journalist Farhan Mallick, who was arrested during Ramzan and given bail after Eid. We discussed the ways in which a process was used to deliver punishment against him, and how the state of Pakistan is moving towards criminalizing thought in the country. Abdul Moiz Jaferii was part of the legal team that is continuing to represent Mr. Mallick in his ongoing cases.
Uzair talks to Zahid Husain about the worsening security situation in Balochistan, which has led the army chief to assert that Pakistan must become a “hard state.” We discussed what can be defined as a hard state, and also try to understand the reasons for why Zahid Husain calls Pakistan a “predator state.” Zahid Husain is an author and journalist who writes a weekly column for Dawn. You can read his latest column titled “A Predator State” here: https://www.dawn.com/news/1900408 Chapters: 0:00 I...
میزبان عادل منصور کے ساتھ پاکستان کے زرعی شعبے کو درپیش چیلنجز پر گفتگو کرتے ہیں۔ وہ گندم اور چینی کی مارکیٹوں میں حکومتی پالیسیوں، کسانوں پر گرتی قیمتوں کے اثرات اور پانی کی کمی کے طویل مدتی نتائج کا جائزہ لیتے ہیں۔ اس بات پر روشنی ڈالی جاتی ہے کہ حکومتی مداخلت اور غیر منظم سٹوریج سپلائی چین کے مسائل کو کیسے بڑھاتی ہے، اور خوراک کی مہنگائی کے ممکنہ دوبارہ ابھرنے کے خطرات پر بھی بحث کی جاتی ہے۔ مارکیٹ اصلاحات اور نجی شعبے کی شمولیت کی ضرورت پر زور دیا گیا ہے۔
Uzair Yunus and Arifa Noor analyze the mood in Islamabad following the Jaffer Express terror attack, highlighting parliament's inability to respond effectively and the long-standing failures of Balochistan policy. They delve into why political elites cede power to the military, the unsustainable nature of current elite politics, and the impact of media blackouts and state control on information and public trust. The discussion also covers the PPP's strategic moves and PTI's internal disarray amidst ongoing challenges to Pakistan's federation.
This episode focuses on the ongoing and worsening crisis in Balochistan, where militancy is rising and the political process shows no signs of improving. Rafiullah Kakar joins Uzair to explain what is going on in the province, the root causes of the insurgency, and why a number of political problems have added fuel to the burning fire in Balochistan. Finally, Rafiullah also discusses his research on the structural and constitutional drivers of the core political economy issues in the province, w...
This episode focuses on the latest developments in Pakistan’s startup and innovation ecosystem Uzair talks to Sarah Munir about the latest findings from invest2innovate’s 2024 Startup Ecosystem Report. Sarah is CEO at invest2innovate and has over 15 years of experience in driving impact and fueling growth. invest2innovate supports startup communities in growth markets and has been working in Pakistan since 2011. You can read the full report here - https://invest2innovate.com/ecosystem-reports/ C...
In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Qamar Cheema about Pakistan’s foreign policy priorities, including relations with Afghanistan and the United States. We also talked about whether Donald Trump will intervene in Pakistan’s affairs to help release Imran Khan. Dr. Qamar Cheema is Executive Director of the Sanober Institute, a think tank based in Islamabad. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 2:00 Afghanistan relations 18:20 Trump releasing Khan? 26:10 Pakistan-Iran relations 31:05 Erdogan’s trip to Pakis...
یہ قسط پی ایم ایل-این حکومت کی گزشتہ ایک سال کی معاشی کارکردگی کا تجزیہ کرتی ہے، جس میں استحکام کو ایک بڑی کامیابی قرار دیا گیا جبکہ پائیدار ترقی کے فقدان پر تشویش کا اظہار کیا گیا۔ میزبان اور مہمان نے حکومتی اصلاحات کی کمی، ایف بی آر کے چیلنجز، اور اسٹیٹ بینک کے افراط زر پر قابو پانے کے لیے ہائی انٹرسٹ ریٹ برقرار رکھنے کی حکمت عملی کا گہرائی سے جائزہ لیا۔ وہ پرانی، غیر مؤثر گروتھ پالیسیوں پر واپس جانے کے ممکنہ خطرات اور اس کے طویل مدتی اثرات پر بھی بحث کرتے ہیں۔
In this episode, Uzair talks to Amir Husain about DeepSeek’s innovations in the world of artificial intelligence, which has been described as a “Sputnik Moment” by many in the technology world. We also talked about how DeepSeek achieved these innovations and what they tell us about China’s innovation ecosystem. Finally, Amir shares his view on export controls on cutting-edge technology and whether it helps achieve U.S. national security goals. Amir Husain is a serial entrepreneur, veteran AI tec...
In this episode, Uzair talks to Ankur Bhardwaj about India’s economic slowdown and its root causes. We also talked about what options the government has to stimulate growth through the budget, and the reasons why the Indian Rupee has been weakening in recent weeks. Finally, we touched on major structural reforms that are needed in India and whether the Modi-led BJP government can push them through. Ankur Bhardwaj is Web Editor at Business Standard. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:30 Slowing growth...
In this episode Uzair talks to Ali Nazari about the current state of affairs in Afghanistan, the status of the resistance against the Taliban, and the ways in which the Taliban are allowing transnational terrorism to occur from Afghanistan. Ali Nazari is Head of Foreign Relations for the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRF). Ali began his career in communications at Khorasan TV, hosting a weekly show on politics and current affairs in Afghanistan. He then was Director of Media Affairs ...
In this episode, Uzair talks to Sardar Awais Leghari, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division), about the recently announced incentives for electric vehicle charging in Pakistan because of which tariffs will be cut by almost 45 percent. We spoke about why this announcement was made and what impact Minister Leghari anticipates as an outcome of these policy incentives. We also spoke about near-term reform priorities in the power sector for 2025 and the minister’s views on uniform an...
In this episode, Uzair talks to Amb. Asif Durrani about the state of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations and why they have soured. Amb. Durrani is the former special representative to Afghanistan and Senior Research Fellow at the Islamabad Policy Research Institute. You can read his recent article here - https://stratheia.com/choose-between-pakistan-or-ttp/
In this episode, Uzair talks to Khurram Husain about what 2024 was like for Pakistan’s economy and the outlook for 2025. We discussed how stability was restored on the economic fronts, its associated costs, and why no real reform has happened so far under the current setup. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 0:58 Stability restored 7:10 Finance minister’s performance 16:47 Investor confidence in Pakistan 23:20 Outlook for 2025
