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Journal

30 under 30

I just noticed that after recognizing global Forbes 30 under 30, they’ve gone regional with Forbes 30 under 30 “Asia”. I’m sure “Pakistan” is next, followed by a “Lahore” version, followed closely by “DHA”, “LUMS”, “Aitchison”, and “Youth” chapters. In other words, Forbes has created a gift that keeps giving, keeps validating. Originally posted here.

Categories
Articles

It’s not easy to open a Roshan Digital Account, but it can be made much easier.

Late last year, the Government of Pakistan launched the Roshan Digital Account (RDA). They’re meant to enable (and encourage) expats to send money to Pakistan legally. With those funds, you can transact locally (pay bills, send e-transfers, etc.), invest in the stock market, or purchase Naya Pakistan Certificates (NPC) and make up to 11% per […]

Categories
International Development Research Writing

The Political Economy of Disaster Preparedness and Risk Reduction in Pakistan

Jennifer Bussell and Asim FayazMay 2017 Overview This case study discusses government capacity to prepare for and respond to natural disasters – floods, earthquakes, and heat waves – in Pakistan. The analysis finds that several hypotheses described at the start of this report are particularly relevant to explaining the extent of disaster preparedness and risk […]

Categories
Essays

“Make your worlds larger”, Oakland

This talk was delivered on April 29, 2017 in Oakland, California, to the Fulbright Class of 2017 shortly returning to Pakistan. I have added links and certain references, details and qualifications that I could not mention while speaking (in the interest of time). I was invited by the Institute of South Asia Studies at UC […]

Categories
Startups

Startups and Pakistan, Oakland

I was invited by the Institute for South Asia Studies at UC Berkeley to lead the final debrief session at the 2016 Fulbright Reentry Seminar for scholars from Pakistan. This is a short-clip of the full talk. Clearly, I was having a good time.

Categories
Essays International Development

“Will they give us anything?”

Reading Robert Chamber’s paper “Poverty and livelihoods: whose reality counts?” reminded me of an incident a friend narrated a couple of years back. At the time, he was working for a development sector think-tank in Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital. The incident occurred after he had just arrived at a 5-star hotel to attend a USAid-funded conference […]

Categories
Essays

The Pakistanis that I am not

I first saw Abdul Jabbar when I joined LUMS eight years back as a freshman. I last saw him yesterday when he opened the gate for me as I was leaving for home. I, in my car, air-conditioning on full blast, thirsty as hell because I was fasting. He, on foot, fanning himself with a […]