Let's Talk Development

In this episode of Let’s Talk Development, Asad Rahim (Barrister) sits down with Justice Ayesha Malik, the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court of Pakistan and a jurist whose work has significantly advanced constitutional and administrative law in the country to explore the deep connection between law, governance and development. From advancing constitutional rights through a citizen-centric lens to addressing gender vulnerability, Justice Malik reflects on how judicial thinking shapes the everyday realities of citizens. She emphasizes the centrality of the rule of law to effective governance, highlighting how weak enforcement erodes institutional credibility, deters investment and deepens inequality. Drawing on her judicial experience, she highlights the gap between legal frameworks and their implementation. She argues that sustainable reform depends not only on sound laws, but also on consistent and impartial enforcement.

In this episode of Let’s Talk Development, Ayesha Hussain (Educationist and Author) sits down with Dr. Syed Turab Hussain (Economist, Educator and Principal of Aitchison College) to discuss one of the most important questions of our time: is education in Pakistan keeping up with the fast-evolving world?From the overemphasis on grades in classrooms across Pakistan to the quiet erosion of deep thinking, Dr. Hussain draws on his extensive teaching experience at institutions like LUMS, and now heading Aitchison College, to make a compelling case for returning to the basics: critical thinking, strong writing and, above all, building character. The conversation also explores where AI fits in, and where it does not, why good teachers remain irreplaceable and what it will take to prepare Pakistan’s younger generation for a rapidly shifting world.

This episode discusses how Climate change is impacting Pakistan's agricultural and what steps can Pakistan take to navigate this challenge.

In this episode Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy joins Dr. Ijaz Nabi to explore the roots of Pakistan’s current economic and social challenges. Moving beyond fiscal policy, Dr. Pervez argues that the real barriers to progress lie in our culture, education system and collective mindset as a society. He draws comparisons with India, Bangladesh and China to highlight how societies that value science, hard work and equality have managed to transform their future, while Pakistan remains trapped in cycles of poor governance, weak education and misplaced priorities. From the collapse of higher education to the lack of work ethic and scientific curiosity, the conversation assesses what it would take to realign Pakistan’s path toward meaningful development. At its heart lies a simple but urgent question: can a nation rise without investing in knowledge, truth and learning?

In this episode, Dr. Taimur Rahman joins Fasi Zaka for a wide ranging conversation on growth, inequality and inclusion in Pakistan. The discussion assesses the dominant development models, elite capture and the limits of neoliberalism. The conversation also reflects on the political economy of social media examining how digital platforms shape narratives, intensify polarization and influence who gets to speak and be heard. From global political economy to social media, identity politics and class, this episode offers a sharp and reflective take on the challenges shaping Pakistan and the world's development trajectory today.

When climate shocks hit the poorest, what happens to the programmes meant to lift them out of poverty? In this episode, Dr. Nasir and Dr. Adeel explore the National Poverty Graduation Programme (NPGP) - a flagship initiative aimed at moving households beyond short-term cash transfers toward sustainable livelihoods through asset transfers and skills. Drawing on his fieldwork in South Punjab, Dr. Nasir shares how beneficiaries coped during high inflation, why the 2022 floods turned assets like livestock into liabilities and what all this means for building resilience. This timely conversation offers lessons for policymakers in Pakistan and beyond on designing poverty programmes that can withstand an era of rising climate vulnerability.

What can history teach us about Pakistan’s current economic dilemmas and its future? In this episode, Ayesha Jalal joins Ijaz Nabi to reflect on the country’s enduring political and economic challenges.The conversation touches on Jinnah's constitutional vision, the fractured nature of Pakistan’s federal politics, the recurring cycles of aid inflows during military regimes and the missed opportunities for building sustainable growth through trade and taxation. Jalal also emphasizes the importance of reclaiming history as a discipline rather than an ideological tool to better understand identity, regional connections and the possibilities for Pakistan’s future within South Asia.

Global growth is slowing, debt burdens are rising and climate pressures are intensifying, what does this mean for the future of economies? In this episode, Dr. Roberta Gatti from World Bank and Shahrukh Wani from IGC explore some of the most pressing questions shaping growth today: the changing role of industrial policy, how governments can promote stronger business environments and why data and evidence are crucial for effective policymaking. They discuss the MENAAP region’s debt challenges, the risks and opportunities from trade realignment, and the importance of measuring what works - and admitting what does not. With insights from one of the World Bank’s leading economists, this conversation offers valuable perspectives for policymakers, researchers and anyone interested in the future of growth.

64% of Pakistan’s population is under the age of 30. This “youth bulge” holds immense promise if equipped with the right skills. In this episode, Ahmed Khan and Saba Shahid discuss how Pakistan can turn its growing youth population into a productive economic force. They discuss how PSDF is addressing this challenge through industry aligned, digitally delivered and outcome focused training programs across urban and rural locations in the country. They shed light on initiatives taken by PSDF for women, the transgnder community and other marginalized groups aiming to improve job opportunities at the grassroot level.

Pakistan is facing a dual burden of rapid urbanisation and increasing climate vulnerability, with low-income and marginalised communities bearing the greatest impact. In this episode, Hina Shaikh and Nausheen Anwar discuss the lived realities and politics of urban transformation in Pakistan’s cities. They unpack the complex relationship between urban development and climate challenges, examining how issues such as air pollution, urban flooding and heatwaves manifest differently across cities, shaped by each city’s unique geography, infrastructure, and inequalities.

The impact of climate change in cities is highly dependent on spatial factors. Within a sprawling and metropolitan city like Karachi, examining its topographic and geographic spatiality in terms of its unique location by sea, desert and forest is key in determining the negative effects of climate change on its twenty million residents. In this episode, Maha Qasim and Yasir Hussain dive into the historiography of Karachi’s spatial vulnerabilities to discuss problems of climate change linked to heat, water and agriculture, and examine solutions ranging from planting urban forests to strengthening disaster management systems and institutions.

Pakistan’s economy is known for its volatile ‘boom-and-bust’ framework. When it experiences bouts of growth and stability, trade and industrialisation imbalances force it two steps backwards, trapping it in a cycle that relies on imports to sustain Pakistan in an increasingly polarising and unpredictable global context. In this episode, Usman Khan and Hamed Yaqoob Sheikh talk about trade solutions ranging from tariff reforms, non-tariffs and locally-based solutions, export-oriented growth, and diversification of the textile industry. They discuss how Pakistan's industrialisation should be supported by Governmental bodies and relevant stakeholders to ensure its long-term economic security and success.

Sri Lanka suffered a great economic crisis 2019 onwards, however in the late 2024, it's economy demonstrated significant signs of recovery. In this episode, Dr. Shantayanan Devarajan and Dr. Ijaz Nabi talk about Sri Lanka's economic crisis, comparing it to Pakistan's situation, and exploring potential solutions. They discussed the stabilization measures, structural reforms, debt restructuring, and the role of the IMF in supporting developing economies.

Pakistan has one of the lowest female labour force participation rates in the South Asian region (22%), compared to 35% in Bangladesh and 37% in India. This means half of Pakistan’s population remains largely untapped in formal employment, as women are predominantly involved in informal or home-based work. In this episode, Dr. Farah Said and Dr. Uzma Afzal talk about the gender dynamics affecting productivity and the impact on overall productivity levels on marginal communities because of the male/female gender ratios.

In Pakistan, poor water management coupled with climate change has severely intensified the frequency and intensity of floods. The unpredictable rainfall patterns and inadequate infrastructure has further worsened Pakistan’s water calamity. In this episode, Dr. Azeem Ali Shah and Amen Jalal discuss water management issues prevailing in the country, recurring floods as a result of the climate crisis as well as climate smart agricultural interventions to improve water productivity.

For a country like Pakistan, it has become increasingly critical to focus on the climate-energy nexus as it grapples with climate vulnerability and escalating energy insecurity. Navigating this intersection presents formidable challenges as well as foreseeable opportunities. In this episode, Dr. Fatima Khushnud and Numair Liaqat explore the climate-energy nexus and examine its implications for the general public. They discuss Pakistan’s energy policies, pricing strategies and the ongoing energy crisis.

Every year as summer descends, Lahore observes a drastic change in air quality. The PM2.5 concentration in Lahore is currently 53.2 times greater than the WHO required level of air quality. Hence, air pollution remains a critical issue with serious health consequences specifically in Lahore. However, there is an overlap between concerns regarding climate change as a contributor to global warming and air pollution as a local health problem. Dr. Kulsum Ahmed and Dr. Sanval Nasim distinguish between the emissions that cause global warming and emissions that cause local health problems and navigate through the policy-related aspects of bringing air pollution down.

Pakistan is one of the most impacted countries by climate change, consistently ranking among the top ten countries on the vulnerability scale. Yet it relies heavily on fossil fuels for its energy consumption, which globally contributes to about 75% of the total GHG emissions. Hence, it has become essential to switch to renewable energy. In this episode, Dr. Nauman Ahmad Zaffar and Amna Shahab explore climate change and the energy sector in Pakistan, discuss the path towards greening Pakistan's energy sector, and examine the challenges and the potential solutions associated with the transition towards renewable energy.

Climate finance is a multifaceted concept, referring to finance activities that are aimed towards mitigating and adapting to the impacts of climate change. As per the Nationally Determined Contributions, Pakistan aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 50% by the year 2030, which calls for about USD 151 billion of investment just for energy sector mitigation by 2040, this is where climate financing comes into play for Pakistan. In the latest episode of Let's talk Development, Dr. Abrar Chaudhury and Sara Hayat talk about climate finance, focusing on what climate change really encompasses and the obstacles for Pakistan’s climate finance mobilisation.

As per the Nationally Determined Contributors (NDC), Pakistan aims to reduce its carbon emissions to 50% by 2030, increasing the importance of the transition towards renewable energy. In this podcast, Rizwan Faiz and Waqas Moosa talk about the current state and trends of renewable energy in Pakistan and the challenges associated with it. They discuss the possible future of renewables, the industry perspective in this transition, and the rise of the solar industry.

Post the COVID-19 economic landscape, global trends on Tax Policy Reforms emphasize heavily on increasing reliance on IT solutions in tax authorities worldwide. Digitalization and digital transformation facilitate the remote functioning of tax administration, enhancing efficiency, speeding up the processes, minimizing errors thereby reducing administrative and compliance costs. Mansoor Sultan and Dr. Sher Afghan Asad discuss the digital transformation process and how effectively it can help the provincial tax administration in Pakistan and its potential impact on the tax system.

In 1972, at the time of its formation Bangladesh had to start from virtually ground zero, with little to no resources and labour power at its disposal. However, it has now overtaken Pakistan’s growth levels on several indicators. Dr. Sadiq Ahmed and Dr. Ijaz Nabi talk about the development journey of Bangladesh and how it has come to become a success story by highlighting the big turning points and what lessons can Pakistan takeaway from it.

Encouraging farmers to use fertilizers in a sustainable manner is integral for preserving food security. Mr. Atif Mohammed Ali and Ms. Amina Bajwa talk about how the fertilizer industry can transition towards a more sustainable model without the support of government subsidies. They discuss how to boost the productivity of small farmers in Pakistan and how to enhance research and development within Engro fertilizers.

The leading models for development and how it progresses in a country differ greatly because of a country’s resources and the societal differences. Dr. Stefan Dercon and Dr. Ali Hasanain talk about the big picture in terms of the world economy, global development and growth. They dive deep into the discussion of global development in the context of developing countries, elite bargains and choosing the right state objectives.

The growing tension between Afghanistan and Pakistan in light of the latest events of the expulsion of Afghan refugees from Pakistan has become of imminent concern to the country. Dr. Rasul Bakhsh Rais and Asad Rahim Khan talk about the importance of protecting the rights of Afghan refugees in the country who have been residing here for several years and explore the causes behind the changes in policies regarding these refugees.

Despite contributing to only about 0.9% of the global greenhouse gas emissions, Pakistan remains high amongst the list of countries that are most vulnerable to climate change. Dr. Faraz Hayat, Tim Dobermann and Dr. Sugandha Srivastav discuss climate change in Pakistan in light of the ongoing COP28 negotiations where they examine the pace of progress towards reducing emissions globally. Focusing on the growing financing needs for undertaking mitigative and adaptative activities aimed at combatting climate change in Pakistan, they explore the various climate financing options available to the country which can help navigate the climate crisis.

Pakistan’s major priority regarding its foreign policy over the years has been to increase Pakistan’s engagement in the region in a way that makes the region more cohesive and more economically integrated. With Pakistan’s geographical location posing a challenge, navigating through its foreign policy has always been a major concern for successive governments. In this podcast, Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar and Dr. Madiha Afzal talk about Pakistan’s current foreign policy approach, it’s major priorities and challenges and how it has evolved over the years.

Currently, one of the biggest challenges that Pakistan is facing is the ever-increasing population growth and lack of family planning. 40% of Pakistan’s area is underserved when it comes to family planning programmes and according to the latest population census, Pakistan’s current population amounts to 240 million people, which makes it the fifth most populous country in the world. Nazish Afraz and Amna Akhsheed discuss and unpack the importance of women’s agency to choose family size and make decisions based on their financial and physical resources. They identify the barriers and the gaps in family planning services, such as accessibility and information and their importance in combating the rising population in Pakistan

In Pakistan, election decisions can be dependent on either the party’s label or the party’s ideology. Currently, Pakistan’s political parties are facing a number of constraints in trying to influence the outcomes of voters’ choice during election time. Dr. Niloufer Siddiqui and Dr. Asad Liaqat discuss these constraints and how the upcoming election outcomes can be influenced by the way parties are structured and the way they interact with voters.

When it comes to digital progress, till date Pakistan has dealt with a few persistent challenges such as macroeconomic headwinds, regulatory issues, digital inclusion, and literacy rates. According to the inclusive internet index 2022, Pakistan ranked last out of the 22 countries in Asia. Infrastructure availability, affordability and digital literacy contribute significantly to Pakistan’s poor socio-economic performance, with digital inclusion for women emerging as an even greater challenge. Monis Rehman and Anam Malkani discuss the challenges and opportunities of the digital space in Pakistan highlighting policy options which may help reduce the gender differential in the digital practice.

Pakistan is fraught with a number of economic, social, political, and environmental challenges. To effectively address these issues, it is imperative to not view them in isolation but to combat them in tandem paying attention to the systemic connections between them. Deferring climate action in favour of poverty reduction or political stabilization presents a very real threat; the magnitude of the climate change problem may become so large that it overwhelms all other challenges. Dr. Adil Najam and Rafay Alam discuss how governments can find a balance between imperatives of economic growth and development while prioritizing meaningful climate action.

Widespread poverty has plagued Pakistan for decades. In 2022, 21.9% of the population was reported to be living below the National Poverty Line. The recent economic crisis has worsened this state of affairs and has doubled concerns about the disproportionate impact of rising poverty on the lives of Pakistan's population, particularly those segments that are already poor and disadvantaged. Dr. Ijaz Nabi and Dr. Imran Rasul delved deep into these issues in the latest episode and discussed the merits of cash vs in-kind social protection in the Pakistani context.

Many analysts and observers of India's economy are proclaiming that India's moment has arrived and it is now poised to rival China in terms of economic prosperity. However, Dr. Ashoka Mody, a Professor of Economics at Princeton University with rich experience in the global economy, contradicts this assertion by saying that India is still mired in deep economic malaise. Let's listen to his insights as they also hold relevance for Pakistan.

Why did Pakistan fall so far behind in terms of growth from its neighbours? To what extent was this due to low worker productivity? How do we measure worker productivity? How do exports and women working in the labour force help increase productivity? In this episode, Dr. Ijaz Nabi and Dr. Gonzalo Varela answer these questions.

The recent global developments including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, China’s growing regional footprint in South Asia, and the intensifying global strategic competition between China and the United States reinforce new and significant geopolitical trends for Pakistan. Uzair Younus and Arifa Noor discuss how in this situation, Pakistan should leverage its relationships with its allies, including the United States and China, to ameliorate its various internal and external conflicts. They also discuss how the economic and political crises taking root in Pakistan affect the country’s access to world capital for investment and growth starting with the resumption of the IMF program.Uzair Younus is the director of the Pakistan Initiative at the Atlantic Council's South Asia Center. Arifa Noor is a journalist.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of CDPR or any of its affiliates.

Recently, we have seen people from across the class spectrum migrate to other countries at a level never seen before. Dr. Ali Khan and Mohsin Hamid discuss some of the leading causes responsible for driving the crisis of international migration in Pakistan, including an intensifying economic crisis and political turmoil, surging terrorism, and constant threats of natural disasters.Dr. Ali Khan is the Dean at Mushtaq Ahmad Gurmani School for Humanities and Social Sciences, LUMS. Mohsin Hamid is an acclaimed Pakistani author—his major works include The Reluctant Fundamentalist, Moth Smoke, Exit West, and The Last White Man.

Pakistan is one of the most urbanized countries of South Asia. However, urbanization has led to such rapid expansion of Pakistan’s cities that they struggle to deliver public services, create productive jobs, and implement effective policies regarding planning. Dr. Omar Masud and Fizzah Sajjad draw attention to these pressing matters and offer a compelling exploration of the urban landscape in Pakistan.

According to the latest 2023 population census, the enumerated population has reached 230.4 million—indicating an increase of 17.2 million people from the 2017 census. While the fertility rate has dropped globally; it remains stubbornly high in Pakistan where women and girls lack access to sexual and reproductive healthcare, including contraception. Rapid population growth seems like a daunting prospect for a country struggling with public finances and political turmoil. In this episode, Dr. Ijaz Nabi and Dr. Zeba Sathar discuss some key issues concerning population growth in Pakistan.

Pakistan’s water supply has become a crucial resource challenge in recent years, made worse by the country’s enduring infrastructure and governance problems. The prospect of a major water crisis in Pakistan offers a stark reminder of the increasing vulnerability of the country to global climate change. The destructive floods that submerged a third of the country last year demonstrate this. In this episode, Dr. Fazilda Nabeel and Dr. Erum Sattar draw attention to important issues in the climate change-water security space in Pakistan.

As with many megacities in the developing world, Karachi deals with critical issues including governance and service delivery. Dr. Umair Javed and Jibran Nasir discuss the risks that residents face due to local governance challenges in Karachi.

In this episode, Dr. Ijaz Nabi speaks with Dr. Murtaza Syed to discuss what led to a full-blown economic crisis in Pakistan and whether the IMF’s intervention would be able to prevent default.