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 Workplace, Government of Pakistan. Ms. Vaqar brings decades of activism and experience in women's rights and human rights in Pakistan and globally to this position. Formerly she headed the Rah-Center for Management and Development. The two speakers engage in an insightful conversation on the contributions that the removal of gender discrimination could bring, such as promoting gender equality can encourage more women to start and lead their own businesses. Increasing women's entrepreneurship can drive innovation, create job opportunities, and foster economic growth. Studies have shown that gender-inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems can generate signicant economic and social benets, explains Nauraiz. Moreover, gender equality can expand markets and stimulate demand for goods and services. When women have equal access to resources and opportunities, they become active participants in economic activities, both as producers and consumers. This leads to increased consumer spending and opens up new market segments, thereby driving economic growth. From her experience as an advocate for women empowerment, Ms. Fauzia explains that the absence of women from socio-economic settings is not to be xed by greater designations of money or capital, but rather it is a problem that can be solved through greater coordination between government departments and the civil society. She argues that at large, in political and policy corridors, the ght for women's participation is actively welcomed and worked upon. However, Mr. Rana provides a compelling analysis of the lack of social responsibility and eorts to reduce gender pay gaps by private sector rms in Pakistan. The country’s corporate sector is way behind on the progress they should have made, explains Nauraiz. On the question of social benets provided by the state to Pakistani women, the Ombudsperson explained why she thinks that there is a need to delve deeper than just making benets more accessible or incorporating technological ease. She says that to truly shift the paradigm, we must look into the structural incapacities that hinder women’s accessibility to the economy, politics, and even their
There is deliberate and collective refusal to acknowledge and accept the cause of the ongoing violence which is rooted in Israel's brutal occupation and systematic subjugation of the Palestinians. Any omission of context from the prevailing mainstream narrative perpetuated by political and institutional actors, and Western media and politicians is shamefully misleading. In this video, we answer two key questions: 1. Did Israel's war on Gaza "start" on October 7th as a result of Hamas' "unprovoked" attack? 2. Can the ongoing onslaught on the unarmed civilians of Gaza be characterized as "war" or is it clearly an act of genocide? #Israel #Palestine #Gaza
In his book, "Development Poverty and Power in Pakistan," Syed Muhammad Ali, a development anthropologist, delves into the political economy of Pakistan's agriculture. Collaborating with Naurain Rana in this interview, an economist at the World Bank, Syed Ali highlights key discoveries from his work. Pakistan's agricultural industry stands as a primary contributor to the GDP, accounting for more than 19% and engaging over 40% of the populace. Despite this, the farmers find themselves situated at the lower end of the socioeconomic hierarchy. Furthermore, despite being an agrarian economy, the industry grapples with exploitative farming practices, resulting in the lowest agricultural productivity, which has contributed to a significant discrepancy between the nation's potential and actual output in the agricultural sector. Syed Ali observes that while urbanization is evident, it remains unsustainable due to the proliferation of slum areas. This urban shift differs significantly from Western models, which historically relied on imperialism and colonization to fuel urban growth through access to raw materials and labor. The process of "de-peasantization", combined with subsidized access to tractors but escalating seed costs, diminished the reliance on numerous sharecroppers. Managing a large workforce, even in an exploitative manner, became increasingly burdensome. Another notable aspect is the concept that controlling land equates to controlling people. Large land ownership in Pakistan historically secured captive vote banks, with the military and feudal families holding significant stakes in agricultural land. Over time, these feudal families evolved their sources of power as the military maintained a substantial interest in agricultural land. #newwaveglobal #farming #agriculture #pakistan
Amina Saqib is joined by Professor Abdul Jabbar, who teaches English and Middle-Eastern Politics with a focus on Gaza-Palestine at the College of San Francisco and is a former professor of English at UC Berkeley. Dr Jabbar argues that Hamas, as the de facto authority in Gaza, has faced a complex set of choices over the years, driven by the unique challenges and circumstances of their situation. Since its election in 2006, Hamas has been subjected to a severe blockade by Israel and Egypt, which has had a devastating impact on the population in Gaza. This blockade, in place since 2006, has severely restricted the flow of goods, people, and services in and out of Gaza, essentially isolating its residents from the outside world. In this context, some argue that Hamas's approach can be seen as a form of resistance to the crippling effects of the blockade. Moreover, there is a prevailing argument that the blockade itself, as an act of war, has played a role in perpetuating the cycle of violence in the region. It has led to a situation where the residents of Gaza, particularly those in dire circumstances, see resistance as one of the few remaining options. This resistance is multifaceted, involving not only military actions but also political and diplomatic efforts. #newwaveglobal
Amina Saqib is joined by Fawzia Afzal-Khan, a distinguished professor of English and former director of the Women and Gender Studies Program at Montclair State University. The discussion focuses on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's characterization of Gaza as a "city of evil" that serves to manipulate the laws of war. It's vital to recognize the humanity of every life lost in conflicts and avoid terms like "collateral damage," which devalue individuals. The vast asymmetry in the conflict, with Israel's superior weaponry, underscores the urgency of Western and international leaders reducing tension and violence. Israel frames its actions as conforming to the laws of war, asserting its moral high ground. In contrast, it dehumanizes Palestinians, portraying them as ignorant of these laws, thus labeling them as immoral. Statements like Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant calling Palestinians "animals" and comparisons to "rats or snakes" on Israeli social media aim to legitimize war crimes and civilian deaths. #newwaveglobal #israel #gaza #palestine
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 and government officials. APPAC was founded in 2017 with the mission of creating resources not only for Pakistani Americans but for all marginalized communities nationally. Their objective is to provide a substantial amount of support for Pakistani and Muslim Americans to run for their local town, city, and states race and win. #pakistanidiaspora #usa #pakistanichristian #jaranwalaincident
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. Discover insights into Pakistan's financial transformation and the wisdom to shape a brighter future. #newwaveglobal #finance #pakistan
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 other states oppose Hamas. This is in contrast to Iran, which otherwise has a revisionist agenda and supports Hamas in its goal to establish an Islamist entity by targeting Israel. Hamas is diverting the legitimate Palestinian struggle for its own purposes. Through these proxies, the Iranian regime is effectively isolating other states, as they lack effective solutions to the issue. It is misguided to believe that Hamas and its actions will lead to Palestinian self-determination due to various geopolitical factors, including the deep divisions within the Palestinian and Israeli populations regarding the two-state solution. #newwaveglobal #israel #palestine
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 did monthly against ISIS from 2014 to 2019 in Iraq and Syria. In a chilling comparison, Israel's week of bombings exceeded the U.S.'s year-long bombing campaign in Afghanistan. For this besieged population, there are no ambulances; Gazans transport their wounded loved ones to whatever functioning medical facilities remain, often in rundown vehicles, risking further harm. Precision in our words is vital; language has been weaponized to dehumanize and rationalize massive violence and ethnic cleansing. Language has also been stripped of its impact. Calls for empathy have yielded vague and disjointed responses from human rights advocates and celebrities, highlighting the limitations of identity politics. Human Rights Watch has confirmed that Israel used internationally banned white phosphorus in Gaza and Lebanon, a substance that causes excruciating burns and is often fatal. This is a clear war crime, and Israel's history of using it is well-documented. #newwaveglobal #israel #palestine #gaza
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 overmedication of ADHD, emphasizing the importance of proper assessment and treatment by qualified professionals. While medication is highly effective, non-pharmacological treatments, including therapy, ADHD coaching, and omega-3 fatty acids, can be valuable complements. #newwaveglobal #health #adhd
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 environment. Large-scale investments often span several years, even decades, and require inter-temporal commitments. Investors seek assurances that their assets and investments will not be threatened or expropriated. In such uncertain environments, businesses tend to align themselves with the most stable and powerful institutions in the country. While he recognizes the pressing need for economic reform in Pakistan, he highlights the challenges associated with implementing such reforms. Tax reform, for instance, is a contentious issue as it directly affects powerful interest groups, such as real estate tycoons. These groups have significant political clout, making meaningful reform difficult to achieve. #newwaveglobal #pakistan #economy #politics
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 towards a severe food insecurity crisis, a situation akin to that experienced by nations at war. This alarming trend is exacerbated by an ongoing confluence of political and livelihood crises, which are eroding people's purchasing power in diverse and profound ways. As a stark indicator of this impending crisis, Pakistan currently ranks a concerning 99 out of 130 countries on the global hunger index, signifying a profound and pervasive food insecurity issue affecting 36.9% of the population. As we approach the critical turning point of September, the situation is expected to further deteriorate. In this exclusive interview, we delve into the measures Pakistan has thus far put in place to shield its people from the impending food crisis, seeking to understand the degree of preparedness and the semblance of a safety net that exists for its vulnerable population. #newwaveglobal #pakistan #food
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, neoliberalism champions free-market capitalism, asserting that minimal government intervention in the economy fosters efficiency, innovation, and prosperity. It emphasizes limited government involvement, advocating for reductions in state size and social welfare programs. Individualism and personal responsibility are central, with an emphasis on individuals making their own economic choices. Deregulation is a key tenet, with proponents aiming to remove barriers and restrictions that hinder market competition. Neoliberalism also supports privatization, transferring state-owned services to the private sector in pursuit of efficiency. Additionally, it encourages globalization and international trade as vehicles for expanding markets and economic growth. In essence, neoliberalism is a creed seeking to unleash capitalism by promoting free markets, limited government, individualism, deregulation, privatization, and globalization. These ideas continue to influence policymaking and fuel discussions on economic and political strategies worldwide, including in South Asia. #newwaveglobal
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 various media channels, which has contributed to vaccine hesitancy among a significant portion of the population. Additionally, a new variant of the virus has emerged within the United States, displaying a staggering 30 mutations. Each of these mutations represents an ongoing evolutionary process that could potentially lead to increased virulence. In response to these challenges, there is an urgent need for increased regulation of social media platforms to curb the spread of conspiracy theories and the dissemination of false scientific information. The blurring of the lines between politics and public health measures has further complicated the situation, leading to a negative impact on attitudes towards vaccination. This multifaceted crisis underscores the importance of addressing misinformation and promoting vaccination as crucial steps in the battle against COVID-19 in the United States. #newwaveglobal #unitedstates #health #covid19 #pandemic
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 its political landscape. This period included a vote of no confidence that ultimately led to the removal of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, the earlier dissolution of provincial assemblies, and events on May 9th that inadvertently caused the decline of Pakistan's largest national-level political party. Now, with the presence of a caretaker administration, questions abound regarding its legitimacy and authority. Syed Muhammad Ali delves into the intricacies of caretaker governments in Pakistan, examining their mandates and the extent of their power to implement various reforms. #newwaveglobal #pakistan #politics #government
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 comprehensive roadmap for Pakistan's economic future, emphasizing the need for reforms, privatization, and an improved investment climate. A must-watch for those seeking a deeper understanding of Pakistan's economic challenges and opportunities. #newwaveglobal #pakistan #economy
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 private and public sectors. He asserts that this practice has been ongoing for decades, resulting in a proliferation of substandard educational institutions. These institutions, some with questionable names and locations, risk diluting the quality of education and churning out graduates with degrees of questionable value. Moreover, he exposes the issue of fake knowledge generation and publication in academia, which further erodes the quality of education. He highlights the urgent need for regulatory bodies like the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to address these challenges rather than focusing solely on numerical expansion. The interview further delves into the dire consequences of this educational crisis, emphasizing the potential for rising unemployment and social resentment among the youth, a significant demographic in Pakistan. Dr. Yaqoob makes a compelling case for the need to differentiate between colleges and universities, emphasizing that universities should be centers of knowledge creation, not just knowledge dissemination. #newwaveglobal #pakistan #education
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 discussion, Nauraiz Rana engages in conversation with Laila Kasuri, an expert in water and sustainable development with years of experience in the field. It is worth noting that Pakistan receives a staggering 229 billion cubic meters of water annually, a quantity surpassed by only 16 other countries worldwide. There is a critical need for a comprehensive understanding of both absolute water scarcity and the economic aspects of water security. Many reports declaring Pakistan as water-scarce rely on outdated data that fails to account for the actual runoff the country receives. Pakistan boasts numerous water sources, with some remaining unaccounted for in current calculations. This raises a pivotal question because it is convenient for governments to assert that Pakistan lacks sufficient water when in reality, scarcity stems more from governance challenges than any natural shortage. #newwaveglobal #water #economy #crisis
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 replace China anytime soon. The interview also highlights the hurdles foreign investors face in India, including political stability and communal tensions. Kamran provides a balanced perspective, acknowledging India's potential while emphasizing the need for a conducive business environment. The conversation then turns to Pakistan's role in this complex regional equation. Kamran suggests that Pakistan, due to its vulnerabilities and strong ties with Beijing, is better off staying out of the India-China conflict. #newwaveglobal #china #india #usa #economy
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 a consequence and a driver of Pakistan's economic turmoil. The conversation navigates the complexities of devaluation, questioning its effectiveness in boosting exports, given the inelastic nature of many essential imports. Bilal dispels the notion of a quick fix, emphasizing the imperative of long-term, politically-driven structural reforms to attract investment, increase exports, and reduce imports. The interview underscores that the solutions must be political, requiring a government with a mandate from the people. It highlights the challenges of achieving a consensus among Pakistan's political parties on a reform agenda and the need for continuity in government to ensure sustained progress. With a stark analysis of Pakistan's economic predicament, this interview provides valuable insights into the complex interplay of politics and economics in the nation's future. #newwaveglobal #pakistan #inflation #economy #currentaffairs