Thought Behind Things

Fuel prices in Pakistan have hit a historic high of 400 rupees. While the public is rightfully outraged, the brutal reality is that the state has no buffers, no reserves, and no choice. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. As supply chains for plastics, aluminum, and helium go offline globally, we are entering Phase 1 of a massive economic shift that will redefine the next six months. Are you prepared for what comes next?In this episode, we sit down with Yasir Abbas, a PhD researcher at the University of Manchester and former advisor on Law and Public Policy. We go deep into the multifaceted nature of the Iran-Israel conflict, exploring whether we are truly on the brink of World War III or if we are witnessing a new era of "unilateralism" where international institutions like the UN have been ruptured beyond repair.

Welcome back to Thought Behind Things. The global supply chain is experiencing a synchronized heart attack. With the Middle East conflict threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz, 20% of global oil and 50% of the world's urea are effectively offline. For decades, our survival strategy has been neutrality—but neutrality is a luxury you can only afford in a unipolar world, and that world is dead. It is only a matter of time before emerging markets are forced to choose a side.In this episode, Javed Hasan (Former Chairman of the Economic Advisory Group) dismantles the structural hubris of the state. We discuss the myth of the "China Model," why the exact same 10 conglomerates have controlled the local economy for 40 years, and how the West is rapidly turning into a "Disneyland" tourist center while China builds the AI-driven industrial factories of the future. Finally, we break down the grim reality of the "Bust-Flatline-Bust" cycle, and why recent pushes to deregulate real estate might just be the elite searching for exit liquidity before the crash.

Welcome back to the next era of Thought Behind Things. The world is fracturing into a multipolar reality, a global financial reset is looming, and AI is triggering the most violent capital reallocation in human history. The era of the zero-interest-rate tech boom is dead; the AI efficiency purge is here. If we don’t understand the mechanics of these changes, we will be structurally locked out of the new global economy.In this episode, Dr. Naveed Iftikhar (Co-founder of atomcamp and former Governance Specialist at the Ministry of Finance) breaks down the brutal realities of building an AI-first workforce in an emerging market. We discuss the paradox of mandating AI training for civil servants when the state struggles with basic infrastructure, the mathematics of a sovereign default, and the harsh truth about who actually wins and loses in the next 5 years of tech automation.

The global landscape is shifting rapidly with the rise of AI, yet Pakistan’s education system remains stuck in rote memorization. How do we prepare our youth for a post-AI world?In this episode, we sit down with Kamil Majeed, CEO and Principal of Nordic International School, to unpack the flaws in our educational framework. We discuss his experiences transitioning from LUMS to UCL, the stark differences between the UK and Pakistani academic approaches, and why values, critical thinking, and work ethic are the only things that will separate extraordinary talent from the rest in the future. We also tackle the growing concern of AI making us intellectually lazy and how the private sector can step up to solve the massive education deficit.

In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we dive deep into the rapidly changing landscape of education and technology in Pakistan. Joined by Dr. Habib Bukhari, former Vice Chancellor of Kohsar University, we explore the impact of AI on the service industry, the importance of "STEM" education, and why the traditional "degree-only" approach is no longer enough for the global market.Whether you’re a freelancer worried about AI disruption or a tech enthusiast looking for the next big thing in robotics and bio-economy, this conversation provides a roadmap for the next 25 years.

In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we sit with Muhammad Danial, the creator who unintentionally turned simple kitchen experiments into one of Pakistan’s most engaging food communities. From growing up as a quiet kid dealing with OCD, to finding confidence through a camera, to balancing the pressure of online fame with the weight of personal identity, Danial shares the untold story behind his rise.

What We Discuss:

• Danial’s journey into content and the life experiences that shaped him
• How mental health and identity influenced his creative path
• Building a loyal food community and navigating sudden visibility
• Balancing family expectations, education, and career choices
• His evolving relationship with food, business, and long-term purpose
• The mindset guiding his growth, spirituality, and future vision

A candid, inside look at how a young creator is navigating identity, mental health, and sudden digital success, and a long-term path in Pakistan today.

Socials:

TBT’s Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TBT’s TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@tbtbymuzamil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TBT’s Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/thoughtbehindthings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TBT Clips: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@tbtpodcastclips⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Muzamil's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Muzamil's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Danial's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/m1danial/

Credits:

Executive Producer: Syed Muzamil Hasan Zaidi

Associate Producer: Saad Shehryar

Publisher: Talha Shaikh

Editor: Jawad Sajid

In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we sit with Ibrahim Shaukat, the founder, who turned Daari Mooch from a small beard-oil experiment into one of Pakistan’s most recognized grooming brands.

From building products in a market that didn’t exist, to opening their own salon, to navigating Pakistan’s unpredictable retail landscape, Ibrahim breaks down the real story behind Daari Mooch’s rise.

What We Discuss:

• How Daari Mooch began and what clicked with customers
• Pakistan’s shift from old-school barbers to modern salons
• Why salons rarely grow beyond one branch
• Daari Mooch’s approach to online vs offline expansion
• The opportunity in Tier-2 markets
• Ibrahim’s long-term take on Pakistan’s direction

A grounded, inside look at how a local brand can grow in Pakistan, and what it actually takes to survive, adapt, and scale here.

Socials:

TBT’s Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TBT’s TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@tbtbymuzamil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TBT’s Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/thoughtbehindthings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TBT Clips: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@tbtpodcastclips⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Muzamil's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Muzamil's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ibrahim's LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ibrahimshaukat/

Endeavor's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/endeavor-pakistan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits:

Executive Producer: Syed Muzamil Hasan Zaidi

Associate Producer: Saad Shehryar

Publisher: Talha Shaikh

Editor: Jawad Sajid

In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we speak with Obaid Arshad, Founder & CEO of Gingko Retail, Pakistan’s biggest ecommerce operating platform and the largest order aggregator in the country.

We Explore:

• Less than 1% of Pakistan’s commerce has moved online
• How Gingko Retail became Pakistan’s largest ecommerce enabler
• 214+ merchants using the platform
• IPO plans for the future
• Why Pakistanis needs global exposure
• And why Pakistan might become unliveable in 25 years due to climate risk

This episode is a deep-dive into Pakistan’s ecommerce backbone, the systems behind scaling retail digitally, and what the future of this industry looks like.

Socials:

TBT’s Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings/⁠⁠⁠⁠

TBT’s TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@tbtbymuzamil⁠⁠⁠⁠

TBT’s Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/thoughtbehindthings⁠⁠⁠⁠

TBT Clips: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@tbtpodcastclips⁠⁠⁠⁠

Muzamil's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Muzamil's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Obaid's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/obaid-arshad/

Endeavor's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/endeavor-pakistan⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits:

Executive Producer: Syed Muzamil Hasan Zaidi

Associate Producer: Saad Shehryar

Publisher: Talha Shaikh

Editor: Jawad Sajid

In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we sit down with a rapidly growing digital creator to unpack his journey from childhood struggles and losing his father at a young age to building a full-time career in online content creation

From early exposure abroad to returning home, he explains why social media gave him more earning power than settling for a corporate job — and why algorithm understanding matters more than talent or luck.

In This Episode:

• Moving abroad and choosing not to settle
• Losing a parent in teenage years & emotional resilience
• Why returning home created better income upside
• The psychology behind going viral and platform discovery
• Understanding algorithms, niches, and customer attention
• TV celebrity fame vs social media creator fame
• Why creators become stagnant & how to stay relevant
• The late-night show gap and the future of entertainment
• And how content, celebrity, and platforms evolve over the next 25 year

This episode is a first-hand look into a creator’s business model, understanding virality, creator economics, and how the entertainment industry is being reshaped by short-form platforms forever.

Socials:

TBT’s Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings/⁠⁠⁠⁠

TBT’s TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@tbtbymuzamil⁠⁠⁠⁠

TBT’s Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/thoughtbehindthings⁠⁠⁠⁠

TBT Clips: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@tbtpodcastclips⁠⁠⁠⁠

Muzamil's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Muzamil's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Asfandyar's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asfandyarbluetick/

Endeavor's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/endeavor-pakistan⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits:

Executive Producer: Syed Muzamil Hasan Zaidi

Associate Producer: Saad Shehryar

Publisher: Talha Shaikh

Editor: Jawad Sajid

In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we sit down with Shane and Adnan, founders of Software Finder — a global marketplace for buying and selling software, like an OLX for software buyers.

With 350+ employees across 4 countries and more than 250,000 targeted monthly visitors, Software Finder has quietly become one of Pakistan’s most successful B2B platforms without hype, foreign celebrity founders, or Silicon Valley experience.

In This Episode:

• The story of building Software Finder
• Why couples building startups must sacrifice comfort
• Decline of SEO traffic and the rise of AI search
• Scaling 350+ employees and 250 digital marketers
• The future of software marketplaces & enterprise SaaS buying
• And what Pakistan needs to succeed in a post-AI world

This episode is a first-hand look into Pakistan’s fastest-growing SaaS marketplace, its digital marketing engine, and how AI is reshaping search, discovery, and software buying forever.

Socials:

TBT’s Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings/⁠⁠⁠⁠

TBT’s TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@tbtbymuzamil⁠⁠⁠⁠

TBT’s Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/thoughtbehindthings⁠⁠⁠⁠

TBT Clips: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@tbtpodcastclips⁠⁠⁠⁠

Muzamil's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Muzamil's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Shane's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-elahi-22a46835/

Adnan's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adnan-malik

Endeavor's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/endeavor-pakistan⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits:

Executive Producer: Syed Muzamil Hasan Zaidi

Associate Producer: Saad Shehryar

Publisher: Talha Shaikh

Editor: Jawad Sajid