The Pakistan Experience

1947 and 1971 are the two most pivotal moments in Pakistan's history yet they remain largely unknown. What we know about them depends on what the state wants us to know; your perception of events will be clouded by what side of the border you were born in.  The most important aspect of the story is often left untold by the state narratives: the people, the lived experiences of millions. The recording of oral histories sheds light on those experiences. Through a peoples history you can piece together the experience of 1947 and 1971.  Anam Zakaria comes on the podcast this week to discuss how to tell a peoples history, and why it is important.   Was Bangladesh inevitable? How do state narratives differ in India and Pakistan? Should an author put themselves into the work? Is there such a thing as 'objective history'? How to deal with trauma memories?  Find out this and more on this week's episode of The Pakistan Experience.  Anam Zakaria is the author of three books - 1971: A People's History from Bangladesh,  Pakistan and India (2019), Between the Great Divide: A Journey into Pakistan-administered Kashmir (2018);  and The Footprints of Partition: Narratives of Four Generations of Pakistanis and Indians (2015), which won her the 2017 KLF-German Peace Prize.    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 0:45 Are we getting more radicalized 3:50 Oral histories and history at the margins 10:30 Putting yourself into your wrok 16:00 The process of recording Oral histories 23:00 Dealing with trauma memories 31:00 Wars fought on Womens bodies 36:30 The Reckoning for Partition 42:20 State narratives of 1947 in India and Pakistan 57:00 The Nationalization project after 1971 1:04:00 When it is labelled a genocide is political 1:09:00 Are displaced people ever home? 1:12:00 Was Bangladesh inevitable? 1:21:50 The equation of violence 1:29:00 Notions of identity 1:35:00 The politics of language 1:38:40 Pakistan's apology to Bangladesh 1:42:30 Is there more hate in urban centers or rural areas? 1:47:00 Visiting India 1:49:00 Conclusion and what's next 1:54:00 Is there any hope?

Faheem Azam is a writer, director, comedian, actor and content creator. Faheem Azam was the original head of Content at 'Teeli' and has worked on films like 'Paray Hut Love'.   On this week's episode, we get into a discussion on the Taliban, changing narratives, motay jism, Nikkahnamas, actors being cast based on looks, performing, making films, Teeli, relationships and the colonial mind.  Why are good films not being made in Pakistan?   Do Pakistan like size zero models?   Did legends do below the belt comedy?   Find out this and more on this week's episode of 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   Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 2:00 Are Taliban our guardians? 12;00 Nikkahnama is a contract 17:00 Kaun log jism mota karna chahtay hain? 19:30 Size 0 models western idea hay 23:30 Actors are now cast based on looks 30:30 Personal libraries 34:30 Faheem Azam's journey: How he got here 45:30 Legends like Moin Akhtar and Umer Shareef never did below the belt comedy? 48:30 Performers need to reinvent themselves 57:30 The Colonial Mind 1:07:00 Back to Faheem Azam's journey to be a filmmaker 1:11:00 Why aren't great films being made in Pakistan? 1:27:30 Are audiences in Pakistan and India different? 1:37:00 What films work commercially in Pakistan?  1:47:30 Teeli 2:01:00 Artists in relationships 2:14:00 Faheem's Web Series

Dr. Taimur Rahman is a PhD and a Professor at the Lahore University of Management Sciences. He is also the General Secretary of the Mazdoor Kissan Party and a political activist.   Dr. Shahram Azhar is a PhD and a Professor at Bucknell University. He is also a classically trained musician and singer.  Taimur and Shahram join us for in depth discussion on Marxism, Identity Politics and the state of the Left in Pakistan.  We get into a debate about the efficacy of Identity Politics, New Marxism vs Old Marxism, China, and the Uighur Muslims.   Are we robots?  Will Pakistan give US bases?  Is the Budget pro poor?  Is Global Capitalism failing?  Is Laal reuniting?  Find out this and more on this week's episode of 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 Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 4:00 R*pist ya Robot 12:00 Giving US bases 15:00 Budget 2021 32:00 Global Capitalism 47:00 Child abuse and culture 52:36 Identity Poltics 1:39:00 New Marxism vs Old Marxism 2:32:30 Is China State Capitalism? 2:38:00 Why are personal freedoms compromised in communism? 2:45:00 Uighur Muslims and China 3:09:00 Is Laal reuniting?

Stand-up comedian Ali Abdullah comes on the podcast to discuss nangay budhay, his stand up comedy journey, political correctness and memories of MQM!  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 Chapters: 0:00 Budhay itnay bhi unreasonable nahee thay 10:00 CD shops 16:00 Cringe content 22:00 Imran Khan 25:00 Stand up comedy kaisay start kia 30:00 Kya content ban raha hay yahan 38:00 Becoming a Stand up comedian 52:00 Political correctness 57:30 Are people too "jahil" here for democracy? 1:12:00 PTI is the best opposition 1:22:00 Missing MQM 1:33:00 Sindhi-Mohajir differences

Ammar Rashid, the President of Punjab of the Awami Workers Party, comes on the podcast to discuss the 'populous' nature of Imran Khan's politics and the left's response to Pakistan's economic crisis.  Ammar Rashid is an academic, researcher and activist, whose work focuses on development, housing, informal settlements, health, gender and education.   On this episode, we get into a deep dive discussion on the Budget, how Imran Khan's politics have evolved, how Pakistan can stop being a rentier state, Education, BISP/Ehsaas, Identity Politics, Weaponization of liberal ideas by the right, and after a while, Psychedelics. 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/thepakistanexperience  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 1:00 Imran Khan and PTI's evolution 9:00 Is PTI actually populous? 15:00 Musharraf and Imran Khan 28:00 Manufacturing, Industrialism, Consumption and Investment 40:00 How can Pakistan stop being a rentier state? 51:00 Budget deficit and economic recovery 59:00 BISP and Ehsaas 1:04:00 Minimum wage and the price-wage surge 1:11:00 Internet Tax 1:20:30 Education 1:26:30 Weaponization by the right of liberal ideas 1:35:00 The Politics of Recognition 1:57:00 New Left Party being launched 2:00:30 How to join AWP 2:04:00 Land Reform 2:10:00 What do we need to do to make policy pro-poor? 2:17:25 PSYCHEDELICS

Khurram Hussain is a Business and Economy Journalist at DAWN, Pakistan's leading Newspaper.  Khurram Hussain comes on the podcast to unmask the provisional economic growth rate of 3.9% given by the Government. On this deep dive discussion, we get into the question of if the GDP growth actually help uplift the impoverished in Pakistan, the myth of trickle down economics, and what Pakistan can do to make economic growth sustainable.  Are we headed towards another IMF program?  Does the current account surplus matter?  Should the state bank be autonomous?  Exposing the property file racket.  Find out this and more on this week's episode of 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/thepakistanexperience 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 5:00 Shaukat Aziz 8:00 Unmasking the 3.9% Economic Growth Rate 20:00 IMF Packages - Are we going for another one? 24:00 Direct cash injections vs Corporate handouts 34:00 Corporate Power in Pakistan 41:00 India 47:00 Are economists disconnected from ground realities? 53:00  Property file racket 1:06:00 The economy is growing but for whom? 1:21:00 What is stopping sustainable Economic Growth? 1:29:00 Is PTI cleaning PML-N's economic mess? 1:41:40 Does the Current Account Surplus matter? 144:40 Remittances 1:48:20 Indirect taxation vs Direct taxation 1:53:50 Is the economy out of the woods? 2:03:00 Musharaff vs PPP vs PMLN vs PTI - Who was the economy good for? 2:07:30 Should the state bank be autonomous? 2:10:30 IMF's projections for Pakistan 2:15:30 Why isn't there more business/economic journalism in Pakistan? 2:20:25 One good thing Imran Khan has done

The families of the victims of the PIA plane crash, PK8303 in Karachi, come on the podcast to discuss their fight for justice over the past year. From the absolute callousness of the officials to the inhumanity showed by PIA, the families discuss all the hardships they have faced to make air travel safe in Pakistan. 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 Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:30 What happened that day 6:57 Hot and high landings 11:10 Technical fault vs Pilot Error 19:20 Harassing family members of victims 24:00 Blaming the pilot 30:00 What the families went through 50:00 The entire system is to be blamed 1:02:00 Neelam's mothers plea to the Government 1:20:00 Where is the Government? 1:32:00 Pilot did not ask passengers to brace for impact 1:35:00 Fighting the system for Justice 1:53:06 RDA - Release Deed Agreement 2:10 Humanity is dead. Government is nowhere. 2:20 Conclusion and demands

Afia Salam comes on to discuss the recent attack on Asad Ali Toor, and the history of Journalists being threatened in Pakistan, from self-censorship to disappearances, we discuss what more can be done to push back against these tactics against journalists. We also do a deep dive discussion on human development, climate change and activism.  Is Individual responsibility or corporate culture more to blame for climate change?  Should the global south halt development to reduce carbon omissions?  Is the Billion Tree Tsunami a good project?  Find out on this week's episode of The Pakistan Experience. Afia Salam is a Masters in Geography and a career journalist having 4 decades of experience of print, electronic and web journalism. She is a LEAD, FNF's International Academy of Leadership & Australia Awards Fellow, member of IUCN Commission on Education & Communications and Commission on Economic & Social Policy. She is also a member of the national coordinating body for Marine Protected Areas.   She has been highlighting  issues related to environment and climate change through her writings, and advocacy through seminars and moderation of panel discussions and round tables.  She is also a development practitioner, and current elected President of Baanhn Beli and Chair Board of Trustees Indus Earth Trust. She can be reached on Twitter   @afiasalam 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 Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:10 Journalists being attacked 8:45 Journalism, Self-censorship and Optics 20:00 Young generation gives me hope 27:00 Social media propagandas  32:00 Human Development 38:30 Distrust of the State and Neocolonialism 47:30 Individual vs Corporate Responsibility for Climate Change 1:03:00 How Plastics is affecting our diet 1:11:11 Global South, Carbon Emissions and Development 1:20:00 Dumb Lockdown 1:26:00 Billion Tree Tsunami 1:38:00 Non native trees in Karachi and modernism 1:45:39 Indus Water Treaty, Dams and Flooding 2:00:00 Regional Cooperation is the need of the hour  2:10:00 Kya Patwario nay sirkhez zameen loot lee? 2:13:00 Governments are not serious about pollution in rivers 2:20:00 Meat Production  2:26:00 Cricket Journalism

Babar Khan Javed is an investigative journalist that covers the $2B advertising & media industry in Pakistan. Currently reporting via Profit, he is credited with helping the marketing community understand the value of data-driven influencer marketing, the path to repositioning media as an investment, creating a platform for female executives to share POVs that deviate from the status quo, and more. He can be reached at babar.khan@pakistantoday.com.pk for pitches while whistleblowers can reach him at babar@substack.com in order to create real change.  Babar comes on the podcast to discuss Waqar Zaka, branding, the agency model, media ratings and the Advertisement Industry in Pakistan.   Will Amazon coming to Pakistan really matter? Is the ad agency model flawed? How to brand yourself to make money online?  Watch 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  Chapters: 0:00 Introducion 3:49 Advertising Agency model if flawed 6:00 The media ratings system is corrupt 15:00 Content and captive audience 23:00 Brands and Tik Tok 29:30 Amazon and sehtiya culture 44:00 Corruption in Advertising in Media 51:18 There will not be Amazon.pk 1:00:00 Branding and Digital Marketing 1:20:00 The agency model 1:30:00 Podcast and Patreon 1:33:00 Internal Brain Drain 1:40:00 Disagreeing respectfully  1:45:00 Female Executives

Ali Aftab Saeed is a singer, journalist and digital content creator.   Adeel Afzal is an actor, writer and digital content creator.  The two juggernauts come together on this very special episode of The Pakistan Experience. On this episode we discuss the 'Dehhari' philosophy, dealing with trolls online, Waqar Zaka, virgin murghiyan, kohta karhai, garmi aur Nat Geo kee batameeziyan!    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    Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 2:00 Dehari Philosophy 5:30 Dealing with trolls online 10:30 Asal genius Waqar Zaka hay 16:10 Overseas Pakistanis and police stories 33:40 Chup kar kay paisay kamao 38:00 Pakistan say bahar janay kay tareeqay 40:40 GARMI! 43:48 Khota Karhai  52:00 Murhay, Gaye, Nat Geo, Animal Planet 1:00:00 Eid kee Gaye 1:05:00 Boycott 1:07:00 The Noor Jehan Story