Pakistonomy

By Tabadlab

What's Pakistonomy about?

Pakistan's first podcast focused on the country's economy, simplifying the complex relationships between paisa, politics and the public.

Presented by Tabadlab.

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Pakistonomy episodes:

06.22.2024
Episode 202 - Budget Inflicts More Pain on Citizens
Shehbaz Sharif’s government has put forward a new budget for the upcoming fiscal year, setting off a debate on more taxes, government spending, and economic reforms. As parliament debates the budget, some things may change about the exact numbers. But...
06.19.2024
Episode 201 - Preparing for extreme heat in the subcontinent
This year has seen more record-breaking heatwaves across the subcontinent, leading to immense loss of life and economic output. Given climate change, these heatwaves are likely to be the new reality around the world, especially in Pakistan and India. Both...
06.05.2024
Episode 200 - What just happened in the Indian elections?
The world’s largest elections are over and they have delivered a surprise in India. While we will get more detailed analysis in the coming days, what is for certain is that the elections mark a return to coalition politics in...
05.31.2024
Episode 199 - Imran Khan v. Judiciary v. Establishment
In this episode, Uzair talks to Abdul Moiz Jaferii about the ongoing cases in Pakistan’s superior judiciary. We focused on the wiretapping case being heard by Justice Babar Sattar, cases related to Imran Khan, and the broader implications of the...
05.24.2024
Episode 198 - Budget, Taxes, and the IMF
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...
05.20.2024
Episode 197 - Prospects for Saudi Investment in Pakistan
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...
05.03.2024
Episode 196 - Budget, Reforms, and the IMF
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...
04.27.2024
Episode 195 - Pakistan's Stunting Crisis
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...
04.21.2024
Episode 193 - Why is foreign investment critical to Pakistan's economic success?
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...
04.08.2024
Episode 192 - Why did Pakistan fall behind India and Bangladesh
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...
03.29.2024
Episode 191 - How Israel's War on Gaza is Changing the Global World Order
This week’s episode focuses on the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza and its implications for the global world order. Uzair talks to Jasmine El-Gamal to get an assessment of Israel’s campaign against Hamas, why Western leaders are out of sync...
03.23.2024
Episode 189 - Teach for Pakistan - Solving Pakistan’s Education Crisis
Uzair talks to Khadija Shahper Bakhtiar about Teach for Pakistan and the organization’s mission and vision. The conversation also focuses on the fellowship program being run by the organization and the key challenges facing Pakistan’s education sector. Khadija Shahper Bakhtiar is...
03.17.2024
Episode 189 - Deciphering Indonesia’s Elections
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...
03.08.2024
Episode 188 - Competing in the elections as a PTI candidate
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...
03.02.2024
Episode 187 - The devastating impact of arbitrary internet shutdowns
In this episode, Uzair talks to Farieha Aziz about the ongoing curbs on the internet, with X facing recurring blocks for the last two weeks. We talk about what the courts have said about these blocks, the response from the...
02.24.2024
Episode 186 - How similar is 2024 to 1977?
In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Ilhan Niaz about the 2024 elections and their implications for the country. We focused on what has occurred in the past and the various scenarios that could play out. We also talked about analog...
02.03.2024
Episode 184 - Providing capital to SMEs and women
Uzair talks to Navid Goraya about Karandaaz’s ongoing work in Pakistan and their focus on improving access to finance for SMEs and women. We also talked about the outlook for the year and the key things that have to happen...
01.26.2024
Episode 183 - Running in an election in Pakistan
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...
01.19.2024
Episode 182 - Pakistan Responds to Iran. What comes next?
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...
01.13.2024
Episode 181 - What will the economy look like in 2024?
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...
01.05.2024
Episode 180 - Outlook for elections and beyond
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...
11.10.2023
Episode 179 - Why trauma-informed schools are a necessity in Pakistan
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...
10.27.2023
Episode 178 - Becoming a Cutting-Edge Scientist in Germany
In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Bilal Khatri about his journey from Iqra University to Freiburg, where he is currently doing cutting-edge scientific research. We talked about the difference in how sciences are taught in Germany and Pakistan, why...
10.20.2023
Episode 177 - How did we get here and what’s next for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
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...
10.13.2023
Pakistonomy - Episode 176 - Reorienting the economy for sustainable growth
In this episode, Uzair talks to Zafar Masud about Pakistan’s economy, how to reduce cash in circulation, and why fiscal deficits are the core problem that need resolution. Zafar Masud is an international banker and entrepreneur currently serving as the President...
10.09.2023
Pakistonomy - Episode 174 - Can Pakistan Deal with Climate Change?
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...
09.22.2023
Pakistonomy - Episode 173 - LOKAL - Scaling an affordable tourism ecosystem
In this episode, Uzair talks to Asim Kidwai about Pakistan’s tourism sector and LOKAL, a startup that is helping scaling an affordable tourism ecosystem in the country. We talk about his journey as an entrepreneur, how the startup is growing...
09.15.2023
Pakistonomy - Episode 172 - How Mexico Is Taking Advantage of the US-China Competition
In this episode we talk about Mexico’s ongoing economic growth story, which has taken off due to increasing investments in light of the US-China competition. Uzair talks to Beatriz Navarro about what’s going on in the country, its politics, and...
09.08.2023
Pakistonomy - Episode 171 - How to deal with the power, smuggling, and dollar crisis
In this episode, Uzair talks to Ammar Khan about the ongoing electricity and dollar crises in the country. We also touch on ways to resolve these issues and why they are linked to competence and willingness to make decisions. Ammar has...
08.25.2023
Pakistonomy - Episode 170 - Why did the dollar cross 300 rupees?
In this episode, Uzair talks to Khurram Husain about what is going on with the rupee and why money supply growth is actually the real driver of the ongoing weakness of the currency. We also talk about why Khurram has...
08.18.2023
Pakistonomy - Episode 169 - Afghanistan After 2 Years of Taliban Rule
In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Asfandyar Mir about the evolving political and security situation in Afghanistan. We also talked about the terror landscape in the country and its impact on regional powers. Finally, we talked about the growing...
08.11.2023
Pakistonomy - Episode 168 - Assessing the Outgoing Parliament
In this episode, Uzair talks to Ammar Ali Jan about the last five years of democratic rule in Pakistan, the outlook for the next twelve months, and why the country is likely to face growing instability. We also talked about...
08.04.2023
Tabadlab Tabadlab Pakistonomy - Episode 167 - Startup Ecosystem Update
In this episode, Uzair talks to Mutaher Khan about the state of Pakistan’s startup ecosystem and the outlook for the next 12-18 months. Mutaher is a technology and business journalist, and co-founder of Data Darbar. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:45 State of the ecosystem 18:18...
07.28.2023
Tabadlab Pakistonomy - Episode 166 - Human-Healthcare: World Class Healthcare At Your Doorstep
Access to quality healthcare is a major challenge across Pakistan. This is especially true for those of us who are abroad and need to find quality healthcare for our loved ones back home. Human-Healthcare aims to solve this problem, providing...
07.21.2023
Pakistonomy - Episode 165 - The Role of the International War Economy in Pakistan's Dysfunction
We have talked a lot about the role of Pakistani elites in the ongoing crises the country is facing, but not a whole lot on the role of the international order in influencing elite choices and Pakistan’s political economy. In...
07.15.2023
Pakistonomy - Episode 164 - India's Digital Data Protection Bill
In this episode, Uzair talks to Adnan Ansari about India’s Digital Data Protection Bill and what it means for internet users in the country. We also talked about the impact of this legislation on businesses and the investments India is...
07.07.2023
Pakistonomy - Episode 163 - What comes after the IMF deal
In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Fahd Ali about the recent deal Pakistan reached with the IMF and what comes next. We also talked at length about the taxation challenges in Pakistan, whether the country needs debt restructuring, and...
06.30.2023
Pakistonomy - Episode 162 - India-US relations after Modi's DC visit
In this episode, Uzair talks to Ashok Malik about Modi’s visit to the United States and the future of US-India relations. We also talked about India’s foreign policy in the Middle East, and prospects of trade between India and Pakistan. Ashok...
06.23.2023
Pakistonomy - Episode 161 - On Karachi, Journalism, and Digital Media
In this episode, Uzair talks to Mahim Maher about her career in journalism and digital media, what she found covering the problems of Karachi, and things that aspiring and young journalists should focus on. Mahim most recently served as a digital...
06.16.2023
Pakistonomy - Episode 160 - India's strategic competition with China
In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Tanvi Madan about how India is dealing with a rising China and the current state of India-China relations. We also talked about what tensions between India and China mean for the country’s relations...
06.09.2023
Pakistonomy - Episode 159 - The Return of the Taliban: Afghanistan After the Americans Left
In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Hassan Abbas about his latest book, The Return of the Taliban: Afghanistan After the Americans Left. Dr. Hassan Abbas is Distinguished Professor of International Relations at the Near East South Asia Strategic Studies Centre...
06.08.2023
Pakistonomy - Episode 158 - On Deficits and Debt
In this episode, we dive deep into fiscal deficits in Pakistan and how they wreak economic havoc. In addition, we talk about the linkages between the fiscal deficit, higher interest rates, and external sector vulnerabilities. Dr. Derek H. C. Chen joined...
06.02.2023
Pakistonomy - Episode 157 - Where Does Pakistan's Democracy Go From Here?
In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Ilhan Niaz about what is going on in Pakistan today and what we can learn from history to understand the present and what may come in the future. We also talked about why...
05.26.2023
Pakistonomy - Episode 156 - Pakistan Stands One Step Closer to the Brink
In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Ayyaz Malick about the ongoing crises in Pakistan and where he sees things going. Dr. Malick is a university lecturer, with research interests in Marxist and post-/anti-colonial theory. He has recently written a must-read...
05.19.2023
Pakistonomy - Episode 155 - Special Series - Understanding the US-China Rivalry w/ Prof. Jane Golley
We continue our special series on the US-China strategic competition this week by looking at Australia’s evolving foreign policy with Professor Jane Golley. Professor Jane Golley is an economist at the Crawford School of Public Policy at The Australian National University...
05.12.2023
Pakistonomy - Episode 154 - Special Series: Understanding the US-China Rivalry w/ Sameer Lalwani
We continue our special series on the US-China strategic competition this week by looking at the deepening military ties between Pakistan and China with Sameer Lalwani. Sameer Lalwani is a senior expert on South Asia at the U.S. Institute of Peace....
05.05.2023
Pakistonomy - Episode 153 - Special Series: Understanding the US-China Rivalry w/ Andrew Small
Over the next few episodes, we are going to be focusing on the US-China rivalry and what it means for the world. In addition, we will try to bring to the forefront a diverse set of views on this rivalry...
04.30.2023
Pakistonomy - Episode 152 - Why are poultry and meat products becoming expensive?
In this episode, we talk about the meat industry in Pakistan, key components of this sector, and why meat prices are going up in the country. Suleman Anwar joined us to share his insights on these topics, what a roadmap for...
04.14.2023
Pakistonomy - Episode 151 - Visa: Digitizing Payments and Promoting Financial Inclusion
In this episode, Uzair talks to Leila Serhan about Visa’s strategy, role, and mission for digitizing payments and promoting financial inclusion in Pakistan. We talk about how the company views Pakistan’s market, what it is doing to have a meaningful...
04.07.2023
Pakistonomy - Episode 150 - USF: Taking the internet to the last mile
We talk about the role access to the internet can play in transforming Pakistan’s economy, promote inclusion, and really empower those who are on the periphery of Pakistan’s political economy. The Universal Service Fund (USF) has been doing some phenomenal work...

What's Pakistonomy about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Pakistonomy episodes:

Episode 202 - Budget Inflicts More Pain on Citizens

Episode 201 - Preparing for extreme heat in the subcontinent

Episode 200 - What just happened in the Indian elections?

Episode 199 - Imran Khan v. Judiciary v. Establishment

Episode 198 - Budget, Taxes, and the IMF

Episode 197 - Prospects for Saudi Investment in Pakistan

Episode 196 - Budget, Reforms, and the IMF

Episode 195 - Pakistan's Stunting Crisis

Episode 193 - Why is foreign investment critical to Pakistan's economic success?

Episode 192 - Why did Pakistan fall behind India and Bangladesh

Episode 191 - How Israel's War on Gaza is Changing the Global World Order

Episode 189 - Teach for Pakistan - Solving Pakistan’s Education Crisis

Episode 189 - Deciphering Indonesia’s Elections

Episode 188 - Competing in the elections as a PTI candidate

Episode 187 - The devastating impact of arbitrary internet shutdowns

Episode 186 - How similar is 2024 to 1977?

Episode 184 - Providing capital to SMEs and women

Episode 183 - Running in an election in Pakistan

Episode 182 - Pakistan Responds to Iran. What comes next?

Episode 181 - What will the economy look like in 2024?

Episode 180 - Outlook for elections and beyond

Episode 179 - Why trauma-informed schools are a necessity in Pakistan

Episode 178 - Becoming a Cutting-Edge Scientist in Germany

Episode 177 - How did we get here and what’s next for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

Pakistonomy - Episode 176 - Reorienting the economy for sustainable growth

Pakistonomy - Episode 174 - Can Pakistan Deal with Climate Change?

Pakistonomy - Episode 173 - LOKAL - Scaling an affordable tourism ecosystem

Pakistonomy - Episode 172 - How Mexico Is Taking Advantage of the US-China Competition

Pakistonomy - Episode 171 - How to deal with the power, smuggling, and dollar crisis

Pakistonomy - Episode 170 - Why did the dollar cross 300 rupees?

Pakistonomy - Episode 169 - Afghanistan After 2 Years of Taliban Rule

Pakistonomy - Episode 168 - Assessing the Outgoing Parliament

Tabadlab Tabadlab Pakistonomy - Episode 167 - Startup Ecosystem Update

Tabadlab Pakistonomy - Episode 166 - Human-Healthcare: World Class Healthcare At Your Doorstep

Pakistonomy - Episode 165 - The Role of the International War Economy in Pakistan's Dysfunction

Pakistonomy - Episode 164 - India's Digital Data Protection Bill

Pakistonomy - Episode 163 - What comes after the IMF deal

Pakistonomy - Episode 162 - India-US relations after Modi's DC visit

Pakistonomy - Episode 161 - On Karachi, Journalism, and Digital Media

Pakistonomy - Episode 160 - India's strategic competition with China

Pakistonomy - Episode 159 - The Return of the Taliban: Afghanistan After the Americans Left

Pakistonomy - Episode 158 - On Deficits and Debt

Pakistonomy - Episode 157 - Where Does Pakistan's Democracy Go From Here?

Pakistonomy - Episode 156 - Pakistan Stands One Step Closer to the Brink

Pakistonomy - Episode 155 - Special Series - Understanding the US-China Rivalry w/ Prof. Jane Golley

Pakistonomy - Episode 154 - Special Series: Understanding the US-China Rivalry w/ Sameer Lalwani

Pakistonomy - Episode 153 - Special Series: Understanding the US-China Rivalry w/ Andrew Small

Pakistonomy - Episode 152 - Why are poultry and meat products becoming expensive?

Pakistonomy - Episode 151 - Visa: Digitizing Payments and Promoting Financial Inclusion

Pakistonomy - Episode 150 - USF: Taking the internet to the last mile