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PODCAST

Thought Behind Things

Syed Muzamil Hasan Zaidi

TBT is Pakistan"s fastest-growing podcast show covering conversations around Art, Culture & Technology. Tune in thrice a week to be a part of our community! We upload every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

society & culture

All Episodes

01:56:45

Delivery Riders Are Barely Surviving!! Ft.Umer...

Thought Behind Things ·

2025/12/04

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

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02:15:27

ONLY People Using AI Will Survive!! Ft. Nayab Babar |...

Thought Behind Things ·

2025/12/03

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

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02:00:15

We Built Pakistan’s BIGGEST Donut Brand!! Ft. Rayyan...

Thought Behind Things ·

2025/12/01

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

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02:13:26

Salesflo Founder: AI Will DESTROY Pakistan’s...

Thought Behind Things ·

2025/11/28

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:

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01:48:19

Game Sports Founder: Pakistanis DON'T Care About Any...

Thought Behind Things ·

2025/11/24

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

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01:56:08

ALETHIA AI Founder: We Made Muzamil’s AI Avatar &...

Thought Behind Things ·

2025/11/19

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

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02:20:06

Ziyad Parekh: We Process As Many Transactions As...

Thought Behind Things ·

2025/11/17

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

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01:28:23

Khazanay Founder: Reimagining Landa Bazaar For Gen Z...

Thought Behind Things ·

2025/11/13

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

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02:09:40

Manto Founder: We’re Building Pakistan’s FIRST Mass...

Thought Behind Things ·

2025/11/10

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

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01:38:47

Maha Shahzad: I Built a PROFITABLE Startup Without a...

Thought Behind Things ·

2025/11/03

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

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01:58:59

Pakistan’s Entertainment Powerhouse: ARY's Journey to...

Thought Behind Things ·

2025/10/31

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

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01:45:36

Arif Lakhani: You Can Buy ANYTHING On Installments In...

Thought Behind Things ·

2025/10/29

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,

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01:59:25

Myco Founder: 30M Registered Users Across the Globe!!...

Thought Behind Things ·

2025/10/24

Find out more about Endeavor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://pakistan.endeavor.org⁠⁠In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we’re joined by Umair Masoom Usmani, the Founder of Myco, a rapidly growing OTT and creator-monetization platform redefining how people consume, fund, and earn from content across emerging markets.After leaving Dubai’s corporate comfort, Umair built one of Pakistan’s fastest-scaling digital ventures with 30M+ registered users, exclusive Premier League streaming rights, and operations across

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02:06:57

Scents N Stories CEO: We Have 40+ OUTLETS Across...

Thought Behind Things ·

2025/10/22

Find out more about Endeavor: ⁠⁠⁠https://pakistan.endeavor.org⁠⁠In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we’re joined by Saad Afridi, the Founder & CEO of Scents N Stories, Pakistan’s leading fragrance brand with over 40 outlets, 300+ employees, and one of the top 5 players in the country’s perfume market.From starting with men’s grooming products to building a nationwide perfume empire, Saad shares the story of how Scents N Stories grew from a small e-commerce experiment into Pakistan’s most

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01:35:46

Saad Riaz: How Kickstart Became Pakistan’s LARGEST...

Thought Behind Things ·

2025/10/20

Find out more about Endeavor: ⁠⁠https://pakistan.endeavor.org⁠In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we’re joined by Saad Riaz, Co-Founder of Kickstart Pakistan, the country’s one of the largest coworking network powering thousands of professionals and businesses every day.Saad opens up about how Kickstart survived Pakistan’s toughest economic years, scaled sustainably, and redefined what “workspace” really means.We explore:How Kickstart's coworking model actually makes moneyWhy Kickstart doesn’t

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01:38:29

Dipitt Founder: We Export To 33 COUNTRIES From...

Thought Behind Things ·

2025/10/18

Find out more about Endeavor: ⁠https://pakistan.endeavor.org⁠In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we’re joined by Syed Zeeshan Haider, the Founder and Director of Dipitt, Pakistan’s No.1 sauce brand exporting to over 33 countries worldwide.A LUMS graduate and engineer by training, Zeeshan began his career managing top tobacco brands before making a life-changing decision, leaving the industry to build something that aligned with his values. What started as a local food experiment is now a

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01:53:10

Zayaan Bawanay: I Sold My OWN Birthday Tickets For...

Thought Behind Things ·

2025/10/15

Find out more about Endeavor: https://pakistan.endeavor.orgIn this episode of Thought Behind Things, we’re joined by Zayaan Bawanay, the Co-Founder & CEO of TicketWala, Pakistan’s largest entertainment marketplace redefining how events, concerts, and live experiences are built.From selling his own birthday tickets to running a company with 95% market share, Zayaan shares the wild journey of turning a scrappy blog into the country’s fastest-growing entertainment startup.We uncover:How TicketWala

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01:38:13

DAYYAN: People LOVED A 13 Year Old Doing EDGY...

Thought Behind Things ·

2025/10/13

In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we’re joined by Dayyan, a young, super-talented and rising stand-up comedian and content creator known for his sharp wit and humor.From small open mics to sold-out shows, Dayyan shares his unfiltered journey through Pakistan’s evolving stand-up scene, the struggles, the experiments, and the state of comedy in a sensitive country like Pakistan.We uncover:His early comedy experiments at Laugh Out LoungeWhat it’s really like performing live in PakistanWhy

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01:42:58

KTrade Chairman: BlackRock Invests In Pakistan Via...

Thought Behind Things ·

2025/10/10

Find out more about Endeavor: ⁠https://pakistan.endeavor.org⁠In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we’re joined by Ali Farid Khawaja, Chairman of KTrade Securities, Pakistan’s leading investment platform enabling thousands of Pakistanis to invest smartly and become part of the country’s growing capital markets.With a global background in finance and technology, having worked at UBS, Berenberg, SafeCharge, and Autonomous Research, Ali shares how he’s bridging the gap between the Pakistani stock

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01:38:55

Sannan Saleh: Pakistan’s Media Industry Needs More...

Thought Behind Things ·

2025/10/08

In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we’re joined by Sannan Saleh, a filmmaker, storyteller, and creative producer who’s worked with global giants like Comedy Central in Los Angeles before returning to Pakistan. Sannan shares an unfiltered look at the real state of Pakistan’s entertainment industry, its creative challenges, and the opportunities AI now brings.We explore:How his journey from Duke to LA shaped his creative mindsetWhat made him leave a stable career in the U.S. to return to

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526 results

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