Thought Behind Things

International listeners can support TBT here: https://buy.stripe.com/14keVU54r5hQ55S000 Nasir Ahsan is the CEO and Co-Founder of Abyss Solutions Ltd. #thoughtbehindthings #muzamilhasan #robotics Check out the trainings from Sarmaaya Financials: Training List: https://sarmaaya.pk/trainings/?src=tbt Technical Training Masterclass 2.0: https://sarmaaya.pk/trainings/details?tid=1&src=tbt Fundamentals of Capital Market: https://sarmaaya.pk/trainings/details?tid=2&src=tbt Do not forget to subscribe and press the bell icon to catch on to some amazing conversations coming your way! Socials: TBT’s Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings Muzamil’s Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan Support our podcast: https://anchor.fm/syed-muzamil-hasan-zaidi3/support Nasir’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nasirahsan-abyss/ Podcast Links: • Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3z1cE7F • Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/2S84VEd • Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3cgIkfI

International listeners can support TBT here: https://buy.stripe.com/14keVU54r5hQ55S000 Be part of our community by joining our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thoughtbehindthings  In conversation with tonight’s guest, Salman Wajid. What has his journey been like? What was the nature of Salman's first job? What is his work experience? What was his role while working in all these Telecom companies? What was his role in Ibex Digital? What position did he take when he joined Systems? What operations has he and the team been working on? Image processing and was it used for Urdu as well? Why isn’t there much work in the Middle East? What markets have they tapped? What sort of processes are they looking at in e-commerce? Why haven’t we been able gain a foothold in the training data market? Was the Ukraine crisis a blessing in disguise? What changes has he noticed in the industry? What is the current value proposition for someone coming to Pakistan? Is it possible to make a good living as a contact center agent? Salman’s current opinion of the IT industry? What helped our industry grow from 1 billion to 3.5 billion? The large-scale business gurus! Will automation lead to dehumanization? How does he see the IT sector over the next decade? How does he envision the Pakistan of 2050? Catch this and much more in tonight’s episode. Do not forget to subscribe and press the bell icon to catch on to some amazing conversations coming your way! Connect with us: • https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings   • https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan   Salman’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salmanwajid/?originalSubdomain=pk TBT shorts: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6akyz6EpkwyzBmKh0L2rSQ

In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we sit down with Ziyad Parekh, Co-Founder & CEO of Safepay, one of Pakistan’s most exciting fintech startups and a Y-Combinator backed startup.Ziyad shares how he went from Karachi to New York and why he left everything to return home and build Pakistan’s version of Stripe. We uncover how Safepay survived being taken to zero overnight, how they rebuilt with grit, and why they now process volumes comparable to giants like HBL.We Explore:VISA/Mastercard charging Rs. 30 per transactionGetting Investment From StripeKarachi's Poor infrastructure How RAAST might change everythingAnd what the future of digital payments will look likeSocials:TBT’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings/TBT’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tbtbymuzamilTBT’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thoughtbehindthingsTBT Clips: https://www.youtube.com/@tbtpodcastclipsMuzamil's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan/Muzamil's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/Ziyad's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ziyad-parekh/Endeavor's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/endeavor-pakistanSpecial thanks to Kickstart for providing us with the studio space.You can find out more about them at: https://kickstart.pk/Credits:Executive Producer: Syed Muzamil Hasan ZaidiAssociate Producer: Saad ShehryarPublisher: Talha ShaikhEditor: Jawad Sajid

In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we sit with Muhammad Danial, the creator who unintentionally turned simple kitchen experiments into one of Pakistan’s most engaging food communities. From growing up as a quiet kid dealing with OCD, to finding confidence through a camera, to balancing the pressure of online fame with the weight of personal identity, Danial shares the untold story behind his rise.What We Discuss:Danial’s journey into content and the life experiences that shaped himHow mental health and identity influenced his creative pathBuilding a loyal food community and navigating sudden visibilityBalancing family expectations, education, and career choicesHis evolving relationship with food, business, and long-term purposeThe mindset guiding his growth, spirituality, and future visionA candid, inside look at how a young creator is navigating identity, mental health, and sudden digital success, and a long-term path in Pakistan today.Socials:TBT’s Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT’s TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@tbtbymuzamil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT’s Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/thoughtbehindthings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT Clips: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@tbtpodcastclips⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Danial's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/m1danial/Credits:Executive Producer: Syed Muzamil Hasan ZaidiAssociate Producer: Saad ShehryarPublisher: Talha ShaikhEditor: Jawad Sajid

In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we sit with Ibrahim Shaukat, the founder, who turned Daari Mooch from a small beard-oil experiment into one of Pakistan’s most recognized grooming brands.From building products in a market that didn’t exist, to opening their own salon, to navigating Pakistan’s unpredictable retail landscape, Ibrahim breaks down the real story behind Daari Mooch’s rise.What We Discuss:How Daari Mooch began and what clicked with customersPakistan’s shift from old-school barbers to modern salonsWhy salons rarely grow beyond one branchDaari Mooch’s approach to online vs offline expansionThe opportunity in Tier-2 marketsIbrahim’s long-term take on Pakistan’s directionA grounded, inside look at how a local brand can grow in Pakistan, and what it actually takes to survive, adapt, and scale here.Socials:TBT’s Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT’s TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@tbtbymuzamil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT’s Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/thoughtbehindthings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT Clips: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@tbtpodcastclips⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ibrahim's LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ibrahimshaukat/Endeavor's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/endeavor-pakistan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Credits:Executive Producer: Syed Muzamil Hasan ZaidiAssociate Producer: Saad ShehryarPublisher: Talha ShaikhEditor: Jawad Sajid

In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we speak with Obaid Arshad, Founder & CEO of Gingko Retail, Pakistan’s biggest ecommerce operating platform and the largest order aggregator in the country.We Explore:Less than 1% of Pakistan’s commerce has moved onlineHow Gingko Retail became Pakistan’s largest ecommerce enabler214+ merchants using the platformIPO plans for the futureWhy Pakistanis needs global exposureAnd why Pakistan might become unliveable in 25 years due to climate riskThis episode is a deep-dive into Pakistan’s ecommerce backbone, the systems behind scaling retail digitally, and what the future of this industry looks like.Socials:TBT’s Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings/⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT’s TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@tbtbymuzamil⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT’s Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/thoughtbehindthings⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT Clips: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@tbtpodcastclips⁠⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠Obaid's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/obaid-arshad/Endeavor's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/endeavor-pakistan⁠⁠⁠⁠Credits:Executive Producer: Syed Muzamil Hasan ZaidiAssociate Producer: Saad ShehryarPublisher: Talha ShaikhEditor: Jawad Sajid

In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we sit down with a rapidly growing digital creator to unpack his journey from childhood struggles and losing his father at a young age to building a full-time career in online content creationFrom early exposure abroad to returning home, he explains why social media gave him more earning power than settling for a corporate job — and why algorithm understanding matters more than talent or luck.In This Episode:Moving abroad and choosing not to settleLosing a parent in teenage years & emotional resilienceWhy returning home created better income upsideThe psychology behind going viral and platform discoveryUnderstanding algorithms, niches, and customer attentionTV celebrity fame vs social media creator fameWhy creators become stagnant & how to stay relevantThe late-night show gap and the future of entertainmentAnd how content, celebrity, and platforms evolve over the next 25 yearThis episode is a first-hand look into a creator’s business model, understanding virality, creator economics, and how the entertainment industry is being reshaped by short-form platforms forever.Socials:TBT’s Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings/⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT’s TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@tbtbymuzamil⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT’s Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/thoughtbehindthings⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT Clips: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@tbtpodcastclips⁠⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠Asfandyar's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asfandyarbluetick/Endeavor's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/endeavor-pakistan⁠⁠⁠⁠Credits:Executive Producer: Syed Muzamil Hasan ZaidiAssociate Producer: Saad ShehryarPublisher: Talha ShaikhEditor: Jawad Sajid

In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we sit down with Shane and Adnan, founders of Software Finder — a global marketplace for buying and selling software, like an OLX for software buyers.With 350+ employees across 4 countries and more than 250,000 targeted monthly visitors, Software Finder has quietly become one of Pakistan’s most successful B2B platforms without hype, foreign celebrity founders, or Silicon Valley experience.In This Episode:The story of building Software FinderWhy couples building startups must sacrifice comfortDecline of SEO traffic and the rise of AI searchScaling 350+ employees and 250 digital marketersThe future of software marketplaces & enterprise SaaS buyingAnd what Pakistan needs to succeed in a post-AI worldThis episode is a first-hand look into Pakistan’s fastest-growing SaaS marketplace, its digital marketing engine, and how AI is reshaping search, discovery, and software buying forever.Socials:TBT’s Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings/⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT’s TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@tbtbymuzamil⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT’s Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/thoughtbehindthings⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT Clips: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@tbtpodcastclips⁠⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠Shane's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-elahi-22a46835/Adnan's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adnan-malikEndeavor's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/endeavor-pakistan⁠⁠⁠⁠Credits:Executive Producer: Syed Muzamil Hasan ZaidiAssociate Producer: Saad ShehryarPublisher: Talha ShaikhEditor: Jawad Sajid

In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we sit down with Ahmed Abubakar, Founder of Imagine Art - a Pakistan-built GenAI creative suite used by millions worldwide and competing for #1–#2 positions in global design app charts, right next to Canva. Today, Imagine does $30M+ ARR, with a major portion of revenue coming from the US and international markets - proving that world-class AI products can be built from Pakistan.We Explore:Early life, education, and family sacrificesBuilding Imagine and scaling GenAI to millionsWhy Pakistani app & gaming industry is bigger than India’sMonetization, profitability & $30M ARRESOPs, stock options & talent philosophyFuture of AI models, creativity, disruption & user context mappingMoving to the US, global talent, and Pakistan’s role in 2050Socials:TBT’s Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings/⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT’s TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@tbtbymuzamil⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT’s Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/thoughtbehindthings⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT Clips: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@tbtpodcastclips⁠⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠Ahmed's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmed-abubakar-9482127b/Endeavor's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/endeavor-pakistan⁠⁠⁠⁠Credits:Executive Producer: Syed Muzamil Hasan ZaidiAssociate Producer: Saad ShehryarPublisher: Talha ShaikhEditor: Jawad Sajid

In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we sit down with Umer Munawar, Co-Founder of SmartLane, one of Pakistan’s fastest-growing logistics aggregation platforms.Umer shares how he exited Finja and jumped straight into solving Pakistan’s most chaotic industry - e-commerce logistics. From integrating 31 courier companies, to processing thousands of parcels, to raising $2.3 million, this episode breaks down what really happens behind the scenes in Pakistan’s delivery ecosystem.We discuss:Why e-commerce is the easiest business todayWhy logistics is brutally hard with razor-thin marginsHow SmartLane aggregates every major courierWhy delivery riders earn so littleWhy Pakistan’s logistic pricing is totally unrealisticThe future of debt funding, blockchain, & capital accessAnd what Pakistan could look like by 2050A deep-dive into e-commerce, logistics, fintech, and the future of business in Pakistan.Socials:TBT’s Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings/⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT’s TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@tbtbymuzamil⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT’s Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/thoughtbehindthings⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT Clips: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@tbtpodcastclips⁠⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠Nayab's LinkedIn: pk.linkedin.com/in/umer-munawar-41a9a2125Endeavor's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/endeavor-pakistan⁠⁠⁠⁠Credits:Executive Producer: Syed Muzamil Hasan ZaidiAssociate Producer: Saad ShehryarPublisher: Talha ShaikhEditor: Jawad Sajid

In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we sit down with Nayab Babar, Chief Investment Officer at the Pakistan Startup Fund, the man shaping how capital flows into Pakistan’s next generation of startups.Nayab shares how Warcraft strategy games trained his problem-solving mindset, how his perspective on racism changed, and why he believes exposure not arguments fixes prejudice.Nayab also explains why:Pakistan & India have the same starting line in AIYou won’t be replaced by AI, but by people USING AIWestern media’s “free speech” narrative is deeply hypocriticalNICs are broken and need complete rebuildingBrain drain isn’t always a bad thingThis is one of the most honest conversations on Pakistan’s tech reality, global competition, and the mindset shift needed for the next decade.Socials:TBT’s Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings/⁠⁠⁠TBT’s TikTok:⁠⁠⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@tbtbymuzamil⁠⁠⁠TBT’s Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/thoughtbehindthings⁠⁠⁠TBT Clips: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@tbtpodcastclips⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠Nayab's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nayab-babar-cfa/Endeavor's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/endeavor-pakistan⁠⁠⁠Credits:Executive Producer: Syed Muzamil Hasan ZaidiAssociate Producer: Saad ShehryarPublisher: Talha ShaikhEditor: Jawad Sajid

In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we sit down with Rayyan, the entrepreneur behind one of Pakistan’s fastest-growing food brands - OD.From a disciplined childhood in madrassah to running his father’s company at a young age, Rayyan’s journey is a mix of family pressure, resilience, and a deep desire to build something of his own. He shares how he transformed a family business, shifted from textiles to food, burned through cash in restaurants, sold his company, and then partnered with the same buyers to build OD into a national franchise.We explore:Growing up as the first-born Cash flow, failures & the reality of the restaurant businessScaling OD, acquiring it back & running a franchise-only modelLocation strategy, operations, and how to build a food business that lastsThe future of Pakistani brands and Pakistan in 2050A deep dive into business, leadership, family pressure, and the journey of building modern Pakistani brands.Socials:TBT’s Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings/⁠⁠⁠TBT’s TikTok:⁠⁠⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@tbtbymuzamil⁠⁠⁠TBT’s Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/thoughtbehindthings⁠⁠⁠TBT Clips: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@tbtpodcastclips⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠Rayyan's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rayyansohail/Endeavor's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/endeavor-pakistan⁠⁠⁠Special thanks to Kickstart for providing us with the studio space.You can find out more about them at: ⁠⁠⁠https://kickstart.pk/⁠⁠⁠Credits:Executive Producer: Syed Muzamil Hasan ZaidiAssociate Producer: Saad ShehryarPublisher: Talha ShaikhEditor: Jawad Sajid

In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we sit down with Yasir Suleman Memon, Founder & CEO of Salesflo, one of Pakistan’s biggest enterprise SaaS companies, now used globally across multiple markets.We explore:Why second-tier Pakistani cities never developedHow AI is reversing Pakistan’s freelancing boomWhy Pakistani founders lack “IPO hunger”Why startups MUST list publicly to retain talentWhy government will NOT fix anything and private enterprise mustSocials:TBT’s Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings/⁠⁠⁠TBT’s TikTok:⁠⁠⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@tbtbymuzamil⁠⁠⁠TBT’s Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/thoughtbehindthings⁠⁠⁠TBT Clips: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@tbtpodcastclips⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠Yasir's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasirsmemon/Endeavor's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/endeavor-pakistan⁠⁠⁠Special thanks to Kickstart for providing us with the studio space.You can find out more about them at: ⁠⁠⁠https://kickstart.pk/⁠⁠⁠Credits:Executive Producer: Syed Muzamil Hasan ZaidiAssociate Producer: Saad ShehryarPublisher: Talha ShaikhEditor: Jawad Sajid

In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we’re joined by the founder of Game Sports Management, one of Pakistan’s few companies trying to turn athletes into real commercial brands.From managing Wasim Akram to building a full sports business, he shares the why Pakistan’s athletes never grow, why our sports ecosystem is broken, and how countries like India turned every sport into a billion-dollar industry while Pakistan stayed stuck.We explore:Why the 2008 crash pushed him into sportsHow working with Wasim Akram changed everythingWhy Pakistan has no real system for athlete brandingWhy Indian stars become global icons but Pakistan’s don’tHow Pakistan’s sports industry can explode by 2050A conversation on the future of sports, talent management, personal brand, and the business behind athletes.Socials:TBT’s Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings/⁠⁠TBT’s TikTok:⁠⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@tbtbymuzamil⁠⁠TBT’s Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/thoughtbehindthings⁠⁠TBT Clips: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@tbtpodcastclips⁠⁠Muzamil's Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠Muzamil's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠Arsalan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arsalanhydershah/Endeavor's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/endeavor-pakistan⁠⁠Special thanks to Kickstart for providing us with the studio space.You can find out more about them at: ⁠⁠https://kickstart.pk/⁠⁠Credits:Executive Producer: Syed Muzamil Hasan ZaidiAssociate Producer: Saad ShehryarPublisher: Talha ShaikhEditor: Jawad Sajid

CHECK OUT MY AI AVATAR: https://muzamil.alethia.ai/In this episode, we sit down with Arif Khan, Founder & CEO of ALETHIA AI, the global startup building real-time interactive AI agents, with a major part of the technology being developed in Pakistan.We Explore:Creating AI versions of real peopleHow Muzamil’s own AI avatar was trainedUsing AI for education, government services, counselling, and digital accessWhat the post-AI world will look likeAnd why energy scarcity might become the biggest challenge of the AI boomA deep, honest, and mind-bending conversation about AI, identity, misuse, and the future of knowledge.Socials:TBT’s Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings/⁠TBT’s TikTok:⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@tbtbymuzamil⁠TBT’s Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/thoughtbehindthings⁠TBT Clips: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@tbtpodcastclips⁠Muzamil's Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan/⁠Muzamil's LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/⁠Arif's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arikhan/Endeavor's LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/endeavor-pakistan⁠Special thanks to Kickstart for providing us with the studio space.You can find out more about them at: ⁠https://kickstart.pk/⁠Credits:Executive Producer: Syed Muzamil Hasan ZaidiAssociate Producer: Saad ShehryarPublisher: Talha ShaikhEditor: Jawad Sajid

In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we sit down with Usman Saleem, Co-Founder & CEO of Khazanay, Pakistan’s biggest used sneaker and thrift brand.Usman shares his journey from losing his father at an early age, working graphic design jobs for just ₨8,000 a month, to building one of Pakistan’s most disruptive retail startups.We talk about:How Khazanay sold its first pair of shoesMeeting Sam Altman at Y CombinatorHow they refurbish branded sneakersTapping into leftover clothing Khazanay’s scale & GrowthLong-term growth, Islamic finance, and Pakistan’s 2050 outlookSocials:TBT’s Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT’s TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@tbtbymuzamil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT’s Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/thoughtbehindthings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT Clips: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@tbtpodcastclips⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Usman's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mhdusmansaleem/Special thanks to Kickstart for providing us with the studio space.You can find out more about them at: ⁠⁠https://kickstart.pk/⁠⁠Credits:Executive Producer: Syed Muzamil Hasan ZaidiAssociate Producer: Saad ShehryarPublisher: Talha ShaikhEditor: Jawad Sajid

In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we’re joined by Salman Parekh, Founder of Manto, Pakistan’s most distinct fashion brand redefining local identity through design, storytelling, and craftsmanship. From launching limited hand-drawn collections to sustaining a premium yet local brand in a low-growth economy.We explore:How Manto built its own supply chain & scaled sustainablyWhy Pakistani fashion is stuck in a cash cycleThe real cost of building exclusivity & identityWhy Manto avoids mass production to stay premiumWhat the fashion scene could look like by 2050Socials:TBT’s Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT’s TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@tbtbymuzamil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT’s Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/thoughtbehindthings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT Clips: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@tbtpodcastclips⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Salman's LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/maansals/⁠Special thanks to Kickstart for providing us with the studio space.You can find out more about them at: ⁠https://kickstart.pk/⁠Credits:Executive Producer: Syed Muzamil Hasan ZaidiAssociate Producer: Saad ShehryarPublisher: Talha ShaikhEditor: Jawad Sajid

In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we’re joined by Maha Shahzad, the founder & CEO of Buscaro — Pakistan’s first tech-enabled bus-sharing startup that’s making everyday commuting safer, smarter, and more affordable for thousands of Pakistanis.From doing odd jobs to fund her education, to building a profitable transport startup without a degree, Maha’s story is pure resilience. She shares how her experiences at Careem, Foodpanda, and SWVL shaped her understanding of Pakistan’s mobility problems — and how a confusing global model inspired her to build something truly local.We Explore:How SWVL’s confusing model failed to connect with Pakistani commutersThe story behind Buscaro and how it was born during the downturnHow she raised her first investor cheque and built a profitable startupBuscaro’s 6.5 million-dollars annual revenue and 70-member teamHow the platform ensures safety for women & school childrenMaha also opens up about investor trust after 2022, navigating bias as a young female founder, and her long-term vision for Pakistan’s urban mobility.Socials:TBT’s Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT’s TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@tbtbymuzamil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT’s Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/thoughtbehindthings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT Clips: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@tbtpodcastclips⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Maha's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maha-shahzad-88878b220/⁠Special thanks to Daftarkhwan for providing us with the studio space.You can find out more about them at: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.daftarkhwan.com/⁠⁠⁠Credits:Executive Producer: Syed Muzamil Hasan ZaidiAssociate Producer: Saad ShehryarPublisher: Talha ShaikhEditor: Jawad Sajid

In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we’re joined by Jerjees Seja, CEO of ARY Digital Network, one of Pakistan’s most iconic media leaders. From shaping the country’s TV and drama landscape to building ARY into a powerhouse of entertainment, Jerjees shares his journey of transforming Pakistan’s media industry.We discuss:How Pakistan’s private TV revolution beganThe economics behind news, dramas, and entertainment ProductionWhy premium Pakistani content is now free on YouTubeWhy global giants like Netflix don’t invest in PakistanThe future of OTT and local streaming platformsWhy filmmaking still isn’t profitable hereThe evolving audience behavior and the road to 2050Socials:TBT’s Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT’s TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@tbtbymuzamil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT’s Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/thoughtbehindthings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT Clips: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@tbtpodcastclips⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jerjees's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerjeesseja/Special thanks to Daftarkhwan for providing us with the studio space.You can find out more about them at: ⁠⁠https://www.daftarkhwan.com/⁠⁠Credits:Executive Producer: Syed Muzamil Hasan ZaidiAssociate Producer: Saad ShehryarPublisher: Talha ShaikhEditor: Jawad Sajid

In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we’re joined by Arif Lakhani, Co-Founder of QistBazaar, Pakistan’s fastest-growing fintech platform making anything, from bikes to fridges, available on easy installments.We explore:How QistBazaar gives access to credit without traditional bankingWhy 90% of startup funding never enters Pakistan’s economyAre easy installments driving consumerism and debt?The rise of Pakistan’s emerging middle class and fintech revolutionIPO dreams, PSX’s broken perception, and what real innovation looks likeSocials:TBT’s Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT’s TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@tbtbymuzamil⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT’s Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/thoughtbehindthings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TBT Clips: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@tbtpodcastclips⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Muzamil's LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Arif's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariflakhaniSpecial thanks to Kickstart for providing us with the studio space.You can find out more about them at: https://kickstart.pk/Credits:Executive Producer: Syed Muzamil Hasan ZaidiAssociate Producer: Saad ShehryarPublisher: Talha ShaikhEditor: Jawad Sajid