The Pakistan Pivot

In this episode of The Pakistan Pivot Ambassador Asif Durrani sits down with Michelle Mohiyuddin and discusses his recently published book titled 'Turmoil.' The conversation revolves around Afghanistan, South Asia, Middle East, Russia-Ukraine conflict and Pakistan's foreign policy.

In this episode of the Pakistan Pivot, Michelle Mohiyuddin and Arhama Siddiqa discuss the assemblage of challenges facing the Middle East today including the impact of Qatar hosting the FIFA World Cup, the protests in Iran, and the famine in Yemen.  

#MiddleEast #Qatar #FIFA2022 #SaudiArabia #UAE #Yemen #UAE #Iran #Turkey

Michelle Mohiyuddin sits down with Zarak Khan, an expert in hydroponics and Pakistan’s agricultural landscape, as he discusses the prospect of magnified hunger and malnutrition if we do not adapt to better and more sustainable agricultural practices. In this podcast we also talk about possible solutions to ensure that the food affordability crisis of today does not turn into the food availability crisis of tomorrow.

Senior Research Analyst at Institute of Regional Studies Zunaira Inam Khan discussed with Michelle Mohiyudin about the importance of women's education, deteriorating women's health, and the male-dominated society of Pakistan.

In this podcast, Michelle Mohiyuddin and Dr. Una Aleksandra Berzina-Cerenkova get into a discussion together that revolves around and explores Pakistan's geopolitical role, US-China rivalry, global power competitions and evolution of international relations post pandemic. Dr. Una Aleksandra being a Latvian also provides an interesting perspective on questions regarding the Russia Ukraine conflict and the energy crisis in Europe, specially with respect to Europe's trade competitiveness and its' dependence on Russian gas.

In this episode of #ThePakistanPivot, Michelle Mohiyuddin sits down with Mr. Jamal Aziz, Executive Director of Research Society of International Law Pakistan to discuss various issues through the lens of international law. From freedom for Kashmir to paving the way forward for Pakistan, in light of International Law. International Law offers us the opportunity to connect with the world and the region better - time to build capacities for the betterment of this region and Pakistan.

#ThePakistanPivot #PakistanNow #Pakistan #Kashmir #Afghanistan #India #Lawfare #RegionalConnectivity #GlobalDiplomacy #ClimateChange #LegalDiplomacy

This week we look at the media from an academic and practitioner point of view to see how and why narratives of hate are built and how this propaganda affects national security. Assistant Professor and Head of Media Studies Department at Iqra University sits down with Afeera Firdous to discuss the need for strategic communications.   #ThePakistanPivot #PakistanNow #PakistanMedia #5thGenerationWarfare #SocialMedia #AgendaSetting

In this week’s episode of 'The Pakistan Pivot,' Michelle Mohiyuddin sits down with Pakistan People's Party Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, the former Finance Minister of Pakistan and the Former Chairman Board of Investment, to talk about PPP’s response and preparedness in the wake of the floods that have engulfed a third of the country. We also put forward questions about the depreciation of the Rupee, the management of Pakistan’s largest metropolitan city Karachi, audio leaks, the allure of the seat of a senator in Pakistan, and many other questions relevant to the recent events in the country.

In the latest episode of The Pakistan Pivot, Dr. Adil Najam, Dean, Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University sits with the Managing Editor Abdul Basit Khawaja to discuss the climate crisis and the way forward. Dr. Najam discusses Pakistan's vulnerability, the shared responsibilities of the Global North and Pakistan to mitigate the risks and to improved disaster preparedness.

Even though right now we are dealing with excessive rains and water, we should also worry that we are heading towards droughts and scarcity of water. Climate change expert, Aisha Khan, who heads the Mountain and Glacier Protection Organization and Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change, sits down with Michelle Mohiyuddin to discuss the effects of global warming on South Asia in this latest podcast of The Pakistan Pivot.

In this week’s episode of 'The Pakistan Pivot,' Michelle Mohiyuddin sits down with Air Marshal (retd) Farhat Hussain Khan, the Chief Project Director of the JF-17 program and President of Center of Aerospace and Security Studies. He discusses Pakistan air forces’ role in defending the country’s sovereignty, in counter-terrorism operations and the development of the JF-17 Thunder with China.

In this week’s episode of 'The Pakistan Pivot’, Michelle Mohiyuddin sits down with Taimur Fahad Khan, research associate at Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, to discuss the deep rooted causes behind the conflict in Ukraine, the sanctions on Russia, and Presidents Zelenskyy and Putin’s popularity in Pakistan. Also in discussion is the possible threat of a nuclear war and how this conflict will affect Pakistan.

In this episode of The Pakistan Pivot, Our Managing Editor Abdul Basit sits down with Dr. Hussain Nadim to discuss the evolving nature of Pakistan and US Relations. Dr. Hussain advocates for a change in how we are managing our foreign affairs, the world and even us, have to stop looking Pakistan through the security lens only. In detail, he explains what we steps we need to do internationally and domestically to not just improve our relations with US, but with the world. The solution lies through people to people contact.

In this episode of The Pakistan Pivot, Mosharraf Zaidi unpacks the situation in Afghanistan and in the region after 1 Year of Taliban Takeover. He suggests the way forward for the Taliban Government to get international recognition. In his signature style, he doesn’t mince words speaking about the role of the United States of America and India

Pakistan will turn 75 years old tomorrow and on this special occasion we sat down with Dr. Aisha Ghaus Pasha, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue, to discuss Pakistan’s Economy, roadmap to recovery and the way forward from here onwards. We speak in detail about the key challenges faced by the country: from IMF, fuel prices to core developmental issues. Pakistan has faced numerous economic challenges in the course of many decades due to war in the region, economic mismanagement and political instability. The Minister is hopeful we will bounce back, she doesn’t doubt the resilience of this country.

In this episode of 'The Pakistan Pivot' Afeera Firdous sits down with Former Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, who currently heads ISSI, to discuss the situation in Illegally Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir after the revocation of the special status three years ago. In this podcast, Ambassador Aizaz stresses on bringing both sides to the table to find a solution for the oppressed Kashmiri populations, and urges the international community to play their role in restoring the rights of the Kashmiri people and encourages youth both in India and Pakistan to improve communication among themselves. He especially encourages the Indian youth to hear voices of reason within their own country and also from Pakistan.

Peace deserves a chance and Kashmir deserves Peace.

In this episode of 'The Pakistan Pivot' with Asadullah Khan, Senior Researcher at Center for Aerospace and Security Studies (CASS), we discuss Pakistan’s Success in countering terrorism. Moreover, we also dived deep to understand how we averted risks, the costs we paid, the efforts we made to halt the spread of terrorism and the way forward from here for furthering the cause of peace in the region. From Swat to OBL to Fall of Kabul, we discuss it all.

In conversation with Pravin Sawhney, Editor Force Magazine, this episode of The Pakistan Pivot discusses India’s politics, foreign policy, and global world order. It explains India’s relations with Pakistan, China, U.S., and Russia. What is the India of today? How is India governed? Is Congress no longer a part of Indian politics? Can India become a regional and superpower? What is India’s foreign policy? Why does India see China as a threat and compete with it rather than as a partner for cooperation? What is the Quad doing about the Indo-Pacific and how does India view the group? Where is the world order headed? What is BRI’s flagship project CPEC doing? What are India-U.S. relations? What are India-Russia relations? What does the Indian Missile Launch into Pakistan tell us about Indian capacity as a nuclear state? How do you see India-Pakistan relations in 2050?

#ThePakistanPivot #PravinSawhney #PakistanNow

In conversation with Maryam Kiyani, Research Journalist at PakistanNow, this episode discusses the OIC’s 48th Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) at Islamabad. What is OIC? What is OIC’s structure? What was the experience of being at the conference like? What was the agenda of the 48th OIC CFM? What were the speeches at the Inaugural session and the Press Takeout on Day 2? What is OIC’s stance on Afghanistan? What is OIC’s stance on Kashmir? What is OIC’s stance on Russia-Ukraine Conflict? What is OIC’s stance on Palestine? Why was China a part of OIC for the first time? What is OIC’s stance on Islamophobia? What is OIC’s stance on economic development of the Muslim world? How do Shia-Sunni conflicts within the Muslim world manifest in OIC resolutions? Is OIC impactful in being taken seriously by the rest of the world? What does OIC’s future look like?

#OIC #ThePakistanPivot #PakistanNow

In conversation with Dr. Hussain Nadim, Executive Director at Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI), this episode discusses the Russia-Ukraine Conflict from a global, local, and policy perspective. What is the Russia-Ukraine Conflict; the key players and their objectives? What does the conflict tell us about today’s global political system? What is Pakistan’s stance on the conflict? Will the Russia-Ukraine war end? Is the West collapsing in terms of ties between the U.S. and Europe? What has the role of information warfare been in the conflict? What is the stance of SCO countries on the Russia-Ukraine conflict? Are there any lessons from the ongoing conflict for China, India, and Pakistan?

#ThePakistanPivot #PakistanNow #RussiaUkraine

In conversation with Ismat Shahjahan, Deputy General Secretary of Awami Workers Party, this episode discusses the history, agenda, and criticisms of Aurat March and the ideology, politics, and manifesto of Awami Workers Party. What is the History of International Women’s Day and Women’s March globally and in Pakistan? Is Aurat March elitist? What is the organizational structure of Aurat March and the feminist movements in Pakistan? What is the issue of demolitions and displacement and how is it an issue of women? Can development ever be equitable? With the No-Confidence Vote and state of politics in Pakistan right now, why is Awami Workers Party (AWP) not emerging as a mainstream political party? What is Awami Workers Party (AWP)’s socialist ideology and manifesto? Is Sehat Card and welfare state a step in the right direction? What is one way that Covid-19 pandemic changed the world? What will Pakistan look like in 2050?

#ThePakistanPivot #PakistanNow #AuratMarch

In conversation with Mushahid Hussain, Member of the Senate and an expert on China, this episode analyzes the history, evolution, and current state of Pakistan’s relationship with China, U.S., and Russia. What has Pak-China relationship been like to come to where it is today? What is CPEC and how is it providing Pakistan an opportunity of economic advancement? Why are SEZs in Pakistan not doing well? Why are people of Gwadar protesting for basic human rights despite Gwadar being developed into a success story for CPEC? Is CPEC a debt trap for Pakistan? What is China doing to its Uyghur community? What has Pak-U.S. relationship been like to come to where it is today? What has U.S. done to Afghanistan and what is Pakistan doing about it now? How do you see Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Moscow and Pak-Russia relationship for gas? Has censorship in Pakistan grown over the years? Will Pakistan shift from a parliamentary system to a presidential one? In what way do you think Covid-19 impacted the world the most? How do you see Pakistan in 2050?

#PakistanPivot #PakistanNow #Mushahid Hussain

In conversation with KPK’s health and finance minister Taimur Khan Jhagra, this episode of The Pakistan Pivot discusses the history, economy, and health sector of Khyber PakhtunKhwa. What is the history of Khyber PakhtunKhwa? What is the reason behind PTI’s failure in KPK’s LG elections? What is KPK’s economy like in terms of industries, budgeting priorities, and revenue generation? What is KPK doing about the tech and IT industry? What are KPK’s reforms in financial management for funds, pension budgets, and operating expenditure? What are the Sehat Card’s history, vision, and assessment? What are issues of governance in the health sector, and the reforms being done to solve them? What is the criticism of favoritism in the health sector? How do you think covid-19 impacted the world? How do you see Pakistan in 2050?

In conversation with Dean of Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University Dr. Adil Najam, this episode explains today’s world order, political systems in Covid-19, and issue of climate change. What is the world order today? What do alliances look like in today’s world order and what does the Ukraine crisis tell us about this? What is U.S.’s relationship with Pakistan and India? Why is India able to get away with its Hindutva politics? What are the tools of international power diplomacy or soft power? What did Covid-19 tell us about multilateral systems? What did Covid-19 tell us about the efficiency of democracy and authoritarianism- which is better? Should Pakistan shift to a Presidential system from a Prime Ministerial system? Why do you think the issue of climate change the biggest issue that faces us today? What is climate security? How is the issue of climate change linked to issue of bad governance? What is the #LivingIndus? How do you see COP’26 and similar efforts towards a global climate solution? What will the Pakistan of 2050 look like?

In conversation with Senior Policy Specialist on Traditional Security Hassan Akbar, this episode is about Pakistan’s National Security Policy. What was the need of a National Security Policy? What was the consultation process? Will the policy continue and sustain irrespective of government change? What are the contents of the policy? What does a relationship between economic, human, and traditional security? What is the security condition looking like right now? What is Pakistan’s foreign policy for U.S., Afghanistan, Russia, China? What is the Ukraine Crisis? What is India’s disinformation warfare? Is there a contradiction in geo-economic growth and climate security? What are the actionable items of the policy? What does the policy say about cyber-security and what does it mean for cryptocurrency? What will Pakistan in 2050 be like? What is one way in which covid-19 impacted the world the most?

In conversation with Barrister Maleeka Bokhari, Parliamentary Secretary for Law and Justice and Chairperson of the Anti-Rape Committee, this episode answers a set of very important questions. What is the state of justice in Pakistan? What are the 700 amendments to the criminal justice system that the Law Ministry has proposed? How will new deadlines to avoid delays in trials be ensured and implemented? What will a plea bargain do and what are the police reforms? What is being done about SCBA’s rejection of the proposed draft of the criminal justice reforms? What is the Anti-Rape Law that was passed in 2020? What does a structure of a victim-centered system look like? What is being done about Usman Mirza and Noor Mukaddam Case? What does gender security in the National Security Policy mean? What is the new act on Protection against Harassment of Women in Workplace? In what way do you think covid-19 changed the world? How do you see Pakistan in 2050?

In conversation with Maha Kamal, an International Public Policy Specialist, this episode discusses Pakistan’s crisis of energy and climate through the lens of security, policy, and governance. What is the energy sector and energy security? What is the organizational history of Women in Energy? What is the gendered aspect of energy security? What is the link between women’s access to energy and economic development? Is Pakistan’s LNG crisis a crisis of governance? How are problems in production, distribution, and consumption in the energy sector interlinked? What is technology’s potential to solve the problems of the energy crisis? How is access to energy linked to industries and economic development? What is the climate issue? How is climate issue an issue of human security? How can the climate issue be solved through a global policy that is common but differentiated? Should the government impose a climate emergency in Pakistan? Why is Pakistan exploiting indigenous coal resources? What is the link between climate issues and class? How is people dying because of climate issue an issue of governance?   

Tune in to know more about her views.   

#ThePakistanPivot #MahaKamal #Energy #Climate #WomeninEnergy #Governance #Security #PublicPolicy #Renewable #Nonrenewable #Gender #Class #Development