Let's Talk Development

In this episode, Adnan Khan (Chief Knowledge Officer, RADS) sits down with host Zuhair Khan (Country Economist, Pakistan IGC) to discuss how pollution is quietly driving one of Pakistan's most overlooked public health crises. The conversation traces its toll from child mortality rates to overall health outcomes and the frequency of average citizen's visits to a doctor, framing environmental degradation as much an economic and public health issue as an ecological one. They also unpack Pakistan's lopsided urban geography, outlining how cities like Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad which pack outsized populations into comparatively small footprints, intensify the downstream effects of pollution. The discussion ends with potential solutions, including rethinking how cities are planned and designed, with greater emphasis on walkability and public transport.

From choking winter smog to flooded monsoon streets, Pakistan's cities are feeling the weight of a changing climate, and the poorest residents are paying the highest price. In this episode of Let's Talk Development, Dr Maryam Ibrahim, human geographer and Assistant Professor at LUMS, sits down with Dawar Hameed Butt, public policy analyst and co-founder of Climate Action Pakistan, to ask a pressing question: who are our cities really built for?

Together they explore how rapid urban growth, overconcretisation and short-term fixes have left cities increasingly vulnerable to environmental shocks. They discuss why climate change is often used to deflect responsibility, why data rarely shapes decisions, and why real accountability is still missing. It's a candid conversation about what it will take to build cities that are fair, livable and ready for the climate crisis.

As the era of abundant foreign aid comes to an end, developing countries are being forced to rethink how development is financed and delivered. In this episode of Let's Talk Development, Dr. Umair Javed sits down with development anthropologist Dr. Muhammad Ali to unpack the changing global aid architecture, the politics behind shrinking donor support, and what these shifts mean for Pakistan. Together, they examine the promises and pitfalls of aid, its impact on state capacity and knowledge production, and what needs to be done to contend with this new era of dwindling aid.

Drawing on IGC’s new research, Dr. Sabrin Baig discusses how digitising land records in Punjab increased women's access to inherited land, while also reshaping marriage decisions, education investments, and family dynamics. This conversation in our upcoming episode of Let’s Talk Development explores the complex relationship between legal reform, social norms, and women's economic empowerment.

Drawing on IGC’s new research, Dr. Sabrin Beg (Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Delaware) and Ms. Angbeen Mirza (Assistant Professor of Law at LUMS) discuss how digitising land records in Punjab increased women's access to inherited land while also reshaping marriage decisions, education investments, and family dynamics. This conversation also explores the complex relationship between legal reform, social norms, and women's economic empowerment.

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.