The Pakistan Experience

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.