Let's Talk Development

In this episode, Dr. Tamir 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.