New Wave Pakistan

Raza Rumi talks to Nadeem Akhtar, who heads the Texas chapter of The American Pakistani Political Action Committee. The APPAC have raised 50,000 dollars to support the families who lost their homes and livelihoods after mob attacks in August 2023. Legislators from Texas state and deputy speaker are also accompanying a delegation that is due to visit Pakistan and meet leaders of Christian community...

Zafar Masud, CEO - Bank of Punjab, engages with Nauraiz Rana - Economist, World Bank, and delves into Pakistan's financial landscape, focusing on crucial topics such as the impact of devolution, the challenges of tax collection, and the potential for financial inclusion in the country. Moreover, he offers a sneak peek into his forthcoming book, where he shares ten invaluable life lessons. Disc...

Misbah Azam is joined by Kamran Bokhari to discuss the situation in the Middle East. Hamas, as an entity, cannot independently operate, and it is known that most Arab states do not support it. In fact, the majority of Arab states are strongly opposed to Hamas. Any coordination with Hamas is primarily diplomatic and focused on humanitarian efforts for the Gaza Strip. Excluding this, nearly all othe...

A renowned human rights activist, Hina Jilani, joins Rabia Mehmood to discuss Israel's relentless bombardment of Gaza, one of the world's most densely populated areas, using 6,000 bombs in just six days. This scale of terror is hard to fathom, but here's the stark reality: Israel, backed by Western powers, dropped more bombs on Gaza's civilians in a week than the U.S.-led coalition...

In this insightful interview, Dr. Muhammad Zeshan and Amina Saqib discuss the prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). They highlight that ADHD is not limited to childhood and can persist into adulthood. It comes in three main presentations: inattentive, hyperactive, and combined. The conversation also addresses concerns about overdiagnosis and overm...

Zeerak Rana's guest today is Dr. Adeel Malik, an Associate Professor at the University of Oxford; International Development Department. His research focuses on the political economy of development - Pakistan and the Middle Eastern region. Dr. Adeel begins by highlighting one of the fundamental concerns for investors in Pakistan - the need for predictability and stability in the business enviro...

Dr. Neelum Nigar, the Director of the Center for Strategic Perspective (CSP) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, has taken up the mantle of overseeing research and advocacy efforts specifically geared towards addressing Pakistan's non-traditional community challenges, with a primary focus on the looming specter of food insecurity. Pakistan finds itself on a perilous trajectory tow...

Dr. Gary Gerstle is a professor of American History at the University of Cambridge. Tune into this discussion as Gary explores the notion of Neoliberalism in his book "Rise and Fall of the Neoliberal Order,", which is a multifaceted and debated concept. It emerged in the mid-20th century as an economic and political philosophy that advocates several core principles. Firstly, neoliberalis...

Dr. Zoovia Hamiduddin is a long-time medical practitioner and MD and is based in New York. Her specialization is internal medicine. Tune into this discussion as Dr. Zoovia and Raza Rumi explore the resurgence of COVID-19 in the United States, accompanied by a concerning rise in cases of long-term COVID-19. This resurgence is exacerbated by the persistent dissemination of misinformation through var...

Today, our focus is on Pakistan's interim government and the potential repercussions it may have on the country's trajectory. Joining Nauriaz Rana is Syed Muhammad Ali, a development anthropologist and adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University, also known for his regular columns in the Express Tribune. The past few years have seen significant turbulence in Pakistan, particularly within...

Economist Nauraiz Rana delves into Pakistan's economic history, the factors behind its recurrent economic crises, and potential solutions for long-term stability. Rana discusses the impact of globalization, China's economic reforms, and India's success in staying out of the IMF's cycle. He also sheds light on the complexities of managing competing foreign interests and offers a com...

Dr. Yaqoob Bangash, a distinguished professor, researcher, and historian hailing from Lahore, Pakistan, addresses the critical issues plaguing higher education in Pakistan. This interview dives deep into the alarming state of higher education in the country. Dr. Yaqoob begins by shedding light on the disturbing trend of rapid university charter approvals by the Pakistani Parliament, both in the pr...

Pakistan currently faces a multitude of crises encompassing economic, political, and social turmoil, and an energy shortage. Amidst these challenges, a more pressing concern emerges, surpassing issues of debt and inflation, and that is the looming problem of water scarcity. Water serves as the cornerstone of sustenance, not only driving the nation but also sustaining individual lives. In this disc...

Host Raza Rumi discusses the escalating tensions between India and China with Kamran Bukhari, an expert from The Newsline Institute in Washington, D.C. They delve into the recent developments, China's strategic challenges to India, and India's economic aspirations. Despite India's impressive growth as the world's fifth-largest economy, Kamran explains why it's unlikely to repla...

Bilal Lakhani, a New York-based political and economic analyst, delves into Pakistan's ongoing currency crisis and the urgent need for structural reforms. The Pakistani Rupee's devaluation against the US Dollar is examined, with alarming statistics highlighting the rapid decline from 75 Rupees to a dollar in 2008 to a staggering 330 Rupees in 2023. Bilal emphasizes that this crisis is both...

Dr. Danish Khan is an Assistant Professor of Political Economy at Franklin and Marshall College and a keen observer of the situation in Pakistan. His conversation with Raza Rumi provides a comprehensive analysis of the complex situation that has unfolded in the wake of Pakistan's acceptance and implementation of IMF conditions. Dr. Khan begins by shedding light on the origins of the crisis, tr...

This interview delves into the distressing and pervasive issue of enforced disappearances in Pakistan, shedding light on the resilience of victims and activists who seek justice. Amina Masood Janjua, Chairperson of the Defense of Human Rights in Pakistan, shares her poignant journey as a victim turned activist after her husband's disappearance in 2005. This deeply personal account exposes the...

Dr. Rehan Jamil is a postdoctoral fellow in Public Policy and Administration at the Department of Government at the London School of Economics (LSE). In conversation with Zeerak Rana, he discusses the politics of cash transfer programs in Pakistan and in comparison with similar programs around the world. The Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) in Pakistan is a social safety net initiative aimed...

In this interview, our attention turns to Mr. Nausher Khan, an ardent advocate, and expert in food security initiatives. He is an International development practitioner focusing on food and nutritional security in low-resource settings. With an extensive background spanning Pakistan's development landscape, he presently directs one of the nation's most expansive food assistance programs fr...

Host Amina Saqib engages in a heartfelt conversation with the legendary Pakistani singer Tahira Syed. Known for her unmatched beauty, grace, and vocal prowess, Ms. Tahira shares insights into her remarkable journey from a family deeply rooted in music. Despite facing challenges, she managed to balance a demanding singing career and her legal studies, revealing the intricate dance between her passi...

Afia Salam and Rafi ul Haq's feature delves into the often-overlooked issue of climate-induced migration in Pakistan, focusing on the experiences of Naseer Mohammad Brohi and his community. It sheds light on the challenges faced by these climate migrants, who, driven by the need to protect their livestock, move to temporary locations when faced with adverse climatic conditions. While this migr...

In this impactful interview, Heather Barr, the Associate Director of the Women's Rights Division at Human Rights Watch, sheds light on the dire situation faced by women and girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban's regime. As the two-year anniversary of the Taliban's takeover of Kabul approaches, Heather discusses the alarming rollbacks in women's rights and freedoms that have taken...

This article by Yasser Hamdani critically examines Jinnah's role in Pakistan's inception, questioning prevailing narratives. It underscores his willingness for a federated India and refutes claims of a religiously-driven partition. The text posits that Congress, not Jinnah, pursued separation, highlighting lesser-known historical facets. It delves into Jinnah's strategic negotiation ap...

In a gripping interview, Rabia Mahmood, an esteemed voice on human rights in Pakistan, discusses a recent horrifying incident of mob attacks targeting churches in Jaranwala. Mary James Gill, a former MPA and legal expert, joins the discussion, revealing her deep concerns as a guardian and a citizen amidst rising extremism. The conversation delves into the distressing pattern of unverified allegati...

Studies show, and there is empirical evidence that proves that gender equality, which is the equal participation of men and women, in a rm helps achieve higher returns (greater revenue). World Bank economist Nauraiz Rana unravels the varying benets of increased women's participation in the workforce with esteemed Ms. Fauzia Vaqar the Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment at Workpl...