In a recent discussion hosted by Raza Rumi, renowned commentator and host, Dr. Manish Dabhade, an academic at Jawaharlal Nehru University, and an expert in diplomacy and international relations, shed light on the factors driving Narendra Modi's popularity and potential return as Prime Minister of India. Narendra Modi's popularity is driven by his track record and promises outlined in the BJP manifesto, focusing on issues like agriculture, infrastructure, and financial inclusion. Modi's...

Host Nauraiz Rana is in conversation with Steve Hanke, an American economist and professor of applied economics at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. The U.S. economy is experiencing a slowdown, raising concerns about a potential recession. Since March 2022, the money supply has dropped by 3.2%, an unusual decline for the U.S. The Federal Reserve's tightening measures could impact the money supply and the path toward recession. As the U.S. approaches an election year,...

Host Nauraiz Rana, an economist at the World Bank, talks with Ubair Javed, an expert in technology and an award-winning avionics engineer passionate about cryptocurrency. They delve into Bitcoin and Ethereum trading, tackling key questions: What exactly is Bitcoin? How does its technology work? What determines its value? And perhaps most importantly, is it here to stay? Ubair expands on the broader concept of blockchain technology, focusing on how governments, especially the US government,...

Host Misbah Azam is joined by Muneeb Qadir: a lawyer, a human rights activist, women's rights advocate, and author. His latest book, "Paying the Price," focuses on how marginalized groups in Pakistani society suffer due to laws and policies made without their say. The book is divided into four parts, covering topics like religious extremism, women's rights, transgender rights, and class inequality in Pakistan. Muneeb also discusses the recent convictions of individuals linked to PTI for...

Host Rabia Mehmood is in conversation with Professor Francis Boyle, an American human rights lawyer and expert in international law. Professor Boyle's extensive experience includes representing Bosnia and Herzegovina at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and working on the rights of Palestinians. Professor Boyle appreciates Francesca Albanese's report on the genocide in Gaza while condemning accusations of anti-Semitism against her. He emphasizes his long-standing support for...

As we commemorate Women's History Month, host Amina Saqib sits down with Zebu Jilani, founder of Swat Relief Initiative (SRI), which aims to address the complex challenges faced by the Swat Valley community in Pakistan. Zebu's involvement was spurred by the dire situation in the valley, with millions displaced due to Taliban occupation and subsequent military actions. She emphasizes SRI's unique volunteer-driven model, with all operational costs covered by her family to ensure that every...

Raza Rumi discusses a story reported by CBC, focusing on foreign interference in Canadian elections by Pakistan and India. According to documents from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), both countries targeted the 2019 and 2021 elections. In 2019, Pakistani officials in Canada attempted to influence Canadian politics, while in 2021, the Indian government allegedly conducted interference activities in specific electoral districts. These allegations include providing illegal...

Host Rabia Mehmood talks with Shaista Aziz, a journalist, human rights advocate, and former Labour Party member. With her experience in international aid and understanding of challenges faced by British Pakistanis, South Asians, and Muslims in the UK, Shaista offers valuable insights. Shaista discusses her decision to leave the Labour Party, citing issues with the party leader's response to recent events in the Middle East. She emphasizes the diminishing trust between British Pakistanis and...

Host Misbah Azam is in conversation with Awais Saleem and Fauzia Yazdani to discuss the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, its potential global implications, and its impact on oil prices and Pakistan's economy. After years of making aggressive statements, Israel has finally taken action against Iran, as they had always threatened to do. Iran, in turn, has vowed to respond with whatever means available. The situation could escalate beyond Iranian and Israeli borders, potentially...

World Bank economist Nauraiz Rana sits down with Ahmad Faruqi, an economist, defense analyst, and political columnist who regularly contributes to the Friday Times. Faruqi vividly portrays the grim reality of Gaza's dire situation during the ongoing conflict. Israel's continuous assaults have caused widespread destruction, demolishing buildings, and flooding tunnels with salt water. This has worsened the suffering of civilians, who now face hunger, thirst, and disease amidst the...

Host Amina Saqib sits down with Nusrat Sohail, an educator, social worker, and champion of women's empowerment. Nusrat's journey is deeply rooted in her upbringing in Karachi, Pakistan, where she was instilled with feminist ideals from her family, particularly influenced by her grandfather's novel, "Shehzori", which advocated for women's empowerment in pre-partition India. Nusrat's commitment to empowering women led her to establish various initiatives, including a transitional home and...

"We need to give women a place around the table. We need to listen to their voices because when we are there, we don't need to win each other; we have to find a way of living together. Women know how to do it. We are better in this duty in life." - Yael Admi Host Faryal Shahzad conducts an impactful interview dedicated to celebrating womanhood and highlighting the remarkable resilience and courage of women in Palestine amidst unimaginable adversity. The conversation sheds light on the...

In this interview, host Misbah Azam sits down with Sajid Tarar, founder of American Muslims for Trump and a Republican Party member. Mr. Tarar emphasizes differences in foreign policy between Trump and Biden, highlighting Trump's tenure as relatively conflict-free compared to Biden's. Tarer critiques Biden's handling of international conflicts such as those in the Red Sea and Gaza, expressing concerns about immigration issues and crime rates under Biden's administration. He also discusses...

Host Raza Rumi engages in conversation with Munir Akram, a highly esteemed diplomat with a wealth of experience across various roles, presently serving as Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. In light of the ongoing crisis gripping the world, there is a deep-seated concern among compassionate individuals regarding the severe hardships endured by the Palestinian people at the hands of the Israeli state. The pivotal question arises: why has the Security Council failed to...

In this interview, Nauraiz Rana, an economist at the World Bank, engages in a discussion with Miftah Ismail, a distinguished political economist and former Finance Minister of Pakistan. Ismail provides deep insights into the economic hurdles confronting Pakistan and proposes compelling remedies. Drawing from his extensive experience in public finance and policymaking, Ismail offers an expert perspective on Pakistan's economic landscape. Amidst Pakistan's persistent fiscal deficits, Ismail...

Host Rabia Mehmood and lawyer Yasser Latif Hamdani discuss the disturbing online smear campaign targeting Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa. The genesis of this campaign lies in a recent judgment where the Chief Justice granted bail to a member of the persecuted Ahmadiyya community. This decision has sparked political maneuvering and the spread of misinformation, highlighting broader issues surrounding religious freedom and the judiciary's role in upholding fundamental rights. Hamdani provides...

In this insightful interview, host Asad Ejaz leads a conversation with Sanval Nasim, an esteemed expert in economics focusing on environmental issues, climate change, and water management. Sanval Nasim currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Economics at Colby College, where he conducts research and teaches on topics related to environmental economics and policy. They explore different perceptions of air pollution, distinguishing between particulate emissions and greenhouse gas...

In this political economy program, Nauraiz Rana (Economist, World Bank) and Muhammad Usman Awaisi (Member National Assembly of Pakistan) sit down to deliberate upon the way out of the poly-crisis that Pakistan faces, post the General Elections of 2024. They highlight key reforms that should be implemented by the soon to be formed PMLN - PPP coalition government, and evaluate past (policy) mistakes that should be avoided as the country aims to recover from the ensuing political and economic...

Host Ailia Zehra engages in a conversation with author Tahira Naqvi, delving into the profound personal connection she maintains with her novel, "The History Teacher of Lahore." Naqvi articulates how her own life experiences, relationships, and observations over the years have significantly influenced the narrative, infusing it with an additional layer of authenticity and emotional depth. Naqvi further explains how the novel is inspired by real-life events and characters she encountered or...

In a recent interview, Host Asad Ejaz engaged with former Finance Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Shahid Javed Burki, and insights were shared regarding Pakistan's economic outlook post-election. Critical policy priorities emerged, including reforming the fiscal system to enforce tax laws rigorously, increasing investment in productive sectors, empowering women economically, and investing in education and training for the youth. Challenges such as debt servicing, twin deficits, and tackling...

Host and World Bank economist Nauraiz Rana hosts a dynamic discussion with Muhammad Zubair Umar, a seasoned professional with 46 years of experience at IBM and former Governor of Sindh, focusing on Pakistan's recent political and economic developments. They delve into Pakistan's tumultuous electoral history, spotlighting the challenges of credibility and the implications of the 2022 vote of no confidence. The impending end of the IMF program in March and the necessity for negotiations for a...

Host Misbah Azam engages in a candid discussion with Marvi Sirmed, a prominent figure known for her activism and understanding of Pakistani and internet politics. Against the backdrop of the recently concluded 2024 elections in Pakistan, the conversation delves into various pertinent topics, including the role of media bias, the performance of political leaders, and the dynamics of electoral support. Marvi offers nuanced perspectives, highlighting the multifaceted nature of media...

Pakistan heads to the polls to elect a new government for a 5-year term. Despite speculation of interference, the Supreme Court has ensured the elections proceed as scheduled. The main contenders are the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by Imran Khan, and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), led by Nawaz Sharif. The PTI faces challenges, with Imran Khan in jail and their party symbol denied. Meanwhile, the PML-N has conducted a successful campaign and is likely to emerge as the...

It's often said that heroes come in all forms. Amina Saqib welcomes Dr. Shahid Qamar to the show, a dedicated individual who has been actively involved in saving lives and engaging in social and community-based projects in both the US and Pakistan. Dr. Qamar is the visionary behind the Pakistan Society for Computational Sciences Research Program and the innovative Teach A Kid Make Individual Life (TAKMIL) 2024 initiative, which provides a remote learning system to underprivileged...