Sukhan - The Discourse

Dive deep into the legal labyrinth of Palestine with Dr. Nimer Sultany, a distinguished Reader in Public Law at SOAS, University of London. With a stellar background including a Doctor of Juridical Science degree from Harvard Law School, Dr. Sultany is a beacon in constitutional theory, comparative constitutionalism, and Israeli jurisprudence. His accolades include the British Academy Fellowship and the Peter Birks Prize for Outstanding Legal Scholarship. This riveting episode explores critical topics such as citizenship, nationalism, and minority rights within the Palestinian context. We unpack the contentious issue of genocide and its legal implications, ponder the role of international law in addressing human rights violations, and scrutinize the impact of landmark cases like one by South Africa on the Palestinian cause. Join us for an enlightening discussion on how scholars and activists can contribute to shaping a brighter future for Palestine. Watch the episode here.

We are in conversation with Saddam Hussain, captain of the Pakistan National Football Team who plays for Sui Southern Gas Company in the Pakistan Premier League, previously playing for Kyrgyz club FC Dordoi Bishkek, Isa Town FC, Gençler Birliği S.K. & Khan Research Laboratories, as a central midfielder. He has previously played for Pakistan International Airlines and led PIA to third place in the 2010/11 season. He then moved to Khan Research Laboratories during the 2012 season and won the Pakistan Premier League and the Challenge Cup in his first season at the club. Later he moved to Dordoi Bishkek during the 2014 mid-season and later won the league title, league cup, and Super Cup. He has played for Isa Town FC, Gençler Birliği S.K., and currently plays for Sui Southern Gas and Oman. He made his international debut for Pakistan in March 2011. You can watch the episode here.

Step into the dynamic world of co-working spaces with our latest episode of Sukhan Circle of Stories, featuring Saad Idrees, the CEO of Daftarkhwan. Join us as we delve into the origins of Daftarkhwan and explore the vibrant co-working ecosystem in Pakistan. Saad Idrees, a tech consultant-turned-entrepreneur and a LUMS graduate, brings a wealth of experience and a deep love for music, squash, and self-improvement to his role. As the CEO of @daftarkhwan, Saad has played a pivotal role in shaping the co-working landscape in Pakistan. In this episode, we uncover the secrets to success in the co-working industry as Saad shares valuable insights and tips for those aspiring to start their own co-working space. Discover the importance of defining your identity, values, mission, vision, and reason for existence, and how they contribute to creating a thriving community within a co-working space. Watch the full episode here.

Step into science and education with our fourth episode of Sukhan Circle of Stories, featuring the remarkable Lalah Rukh, founder and CEO of Science Fuse. Join us as we dive deep into her fascinating journey and explore the transformative power of science communication. Lalah Rukh, an educator trained in molecular biology and biotechnology, aims to make quality science education accessible to marginalized students in Punjab, Pakistan. With Science Fuse, her social enterprise, Lalah challenges social norms and strives to engage more girls in STEM education. Her passion and dedication have already reached over 47,000 students, and her impact continues to grow. Discover how Lalah's personal journey led her to found Science Fuse and gain insights into the role of science communicators in bridging the gap between knowledge and understanding. Explore the impressive progress and successes of Science Fuse, as well as the possibilities for further advancement in the field. Watch the full episode here.

Step into the world of Pakistani drama with Asghar Nadeem Syed in this captivating episode. From his humble beginnings to becoming a renowned drama writer, he takes us on a journey through the evolution of Pakistani society and the country's political landscape. Discover the transformation of Pakistan's state television and the role it played in shaping the nation. Explore the powerful female characters portrayed in his iconic TV plays and delve into the significance of quality content production and consumption. Asghar Nadeem Syed, a prominent Pakistani drama serial writer, has made significant contributions to Urdu literature. His famous play "Chaand Garhan" has captivated audiences with its powerful storytelling. Syed's work reflects social injustices, showcasing his keen insight into societal issues. With extensive experience as a media consultant, he has served Pakistan Television, private TV channels, and various NGOs. His remarkable achievements include the President's Award of Pride of Performance and numerous accolades for his exceptional writing. Asghar Nadeem Syed's impactful work has solidified his position as a respected figure in Pakistani literature. Watch the episode here.

Daisy Rockwell, an accomplished painter, and translator, has embarked on a remarkable journey from being an artist to an award-winning writer and translator. Her novel "Tomb of Sand" was honored with the prestigious 2022 International Booker Prize. Through her translations, Daisy brings forth classic works with a specific emphasis on the partition era, challenging the ongoing debate between original and translated literature. Join us as we delve into the significance and intricacies of translation, as Daisy shares her insights and offers valuable advice to aspiring literary translators. You can watch the full episode here.

Join us for an insightful conversation with Ahmad Rafay Alam, a Pakistani environmental lawyer, and activist, as we delve into his personal journey and explore the crucial role of local laws, regulations, and activism in protecting the environment and heritage. Discover the impact of climate change on Pakistan and the significant role played by the judiciary and civil society in addressing these challenges. Gain valuable insights on staying motivated as an activist and learn how individuals can contribute to bringing about positive change. Don't miss this thought-provoking episode filled with inspiration and practical steps toward a greener future. With an impressive background in corporate and constitutional law, Rafay co-founded Saleem, Alam & Co. in 2013—a firm specializing in the energy, water, natural resources, and urban infrastructure sectors. As one of Pakistan's foremost environment lawyers, Rafay finds himself at the forefront of critical issues in his country. He advises governments, international organizations, and corporations on sustainability. With his extensive knowledge of Pakistan's government, Rafay has held influential positions and contributed to councils and foundations dedicated to climate change and environmental protection. You can watch the episode here

In this episode, we sit down with Zeerak Ahmed, the founder of the innovative initiative, @matnsaz. Zeerak has taken on the challenge of improving the Urdu typing experience on mobile phones with the launch of an incredible new Urdu keyboard. Join us as we dive into the fascinating world of Urdu typing technology and explore the background and need for this exciting project. Zeerak also shares his journey so far and future plans for Matnsaz. Don't miss out on this informative and inspiring conversation! Tune in now to discover more about this groundbreaking initiative. Watch the full episode here.

In the final episode of Season 2, we are in conversation with Nida Usman Ch about the challenges faced by women in the legal profession. She shares her journey and experiences and talks about her initiatives: Women In Law" and "Lahore Education & Research Network (LEARN) Pakistan". We discuss the barriers to entry for women in this profession in Pakistan and how their participation is extremely important. She highlights the progress and positive steps taken so far and what more can be done to improve the situation.  Nida Usman Chaudhary is an award-winning, diversity and inclusion policy advocate and founder of the Women in Law initiative Pakistan. She holds an LL.B (Hons) and LL.M in Law and Development from the University of London. You can watch the full episode here. 

In the fourth episode, we are in conversation with Adeel Afzal about his journey and experiences so far. We dig deeper into the types of content and the quality of content along with how we can encourage originality. We also talk about creating content across different mediums and his preferred choice. He talks about his brief but critically acclaimed acting career so far and ends the show with a surprise.   Adeel Afzal is a versatile personality who is a writer, director, filmmaker, content creator, and actor. He has worked at one of the most popular platforms in digital media, MangoBaaz, where he worked as a digital content creator. He recently gained nationwide popularity and acknowledgment from his play Parizaad where he played the character Nasaaz. His upcoming projects included the much-awaited Zindagi Tamasha. His YouTube channel is known for its hard-hitting content including short videos and podcasts. You can watch the website here. 

In the third episode of season 2, we talk about some of the most important yet least talked about topics of legal requirements, rights, and protection for start-ups and small-medium enterprises especially those who are providing digital services/products. Our guest Salman Ahmad Maan takes us through the process while explaining different laws and regulations that affect them. He also takes about cyber security, and data protection and has some great advice towards the end of the episode!  Salman Ahmad Maan is the Founder and Chairman of @Qanoondan (The Legal Diaries) Pakistan's 1st and largest legal video development project that is committed to providing its viewers with the latest legal updates, law lectures, and knowledgeable opinions of law experts. He is skilled in Negotiation, Management, Strategic Planning, Leadership, and Public Speaking. Strong business development professional with a Bachelor of Laws - LLB focused in Law from the Superior College of Law. Watch the episode here.

In the second episode, we are in conversation with Wardah Noor, who is a social activist, an avid researcher, and an aspiring lawyer fighting for the basic rights of common citizens. She is the founder of KhudKaar under which 0.5 Million PKR has been disbursed among 20 girls which is enabling them to continue their education. She has counseled 8,000+ students on personal development opportunities but also educated around 1,000 kids on protection against harassment. Her work is centered around poverty alleviation in her native city of Layyah.   We talk about her journey from Layyah to Lahore and how she ended up choosing law as a profession. She talks in detail about her project, its impact, and learning from it. We dive deeper into defining and understanding types of poverty and how she plans to uplift Layyah out of poverty by 2030 and transform Layyah as the Creative Capital of the South. Watch the episode here. 

In the first episode of the second season of our series Circle of Stories, we are in conversation with Asrar who is a musician, singer, writer, and composer based in Lahore. His work has been critically acclaimed with hits like Sub Aakho Ali Ali, Afghan Jalebi, Shakar Wandan, Bulleya, Cheekt, and Parizaad OST to his name.   We talk about his journey and work so far, and the creative thought process behind his songs, videos, and lyrics. We dive deeper into defining and understanding Sufi music and how he brings his own flavor to every project he has worked on. Watch this engaging conversation where he talks about various aspects of his life for the first time. 

We are in conversation with Saddam Hussain, captain of the Pakistan National Football Team, and plays for Sui Southern Gas Company in the Pakistan Premier League, and previously played for Kyrgyz club FC Dordoi Bishkek, Isa Town FC, Gençler Birliği S.K. & Khan Research Laboratories, as a central midfielder.  He has previously played for Pakistan International Airlines and led PIA to third place in the 2010/11 season. He then moved to Khan Research Laboratories during the 2012 season and won the Pakistan Premier League and the Challenge Cup in his first season at the club. Later he moved to Dordoi Bishkek during the 2014 mid-season and later won the league title, league cup, and Super cup. He has played for Isa Town FC, Gençler Birliği S.K. and currently plays for Sui Southern Gas.  He made his international debut for Pakistan in March 2011. Watch the full episode here.

In this episode, we talk about the challenges of new motherhood, and how they impact the psycho-social/emotional well-being of mothers. Fatmah and Anushka who are both trained and ethical therapists talk about the importance of having support/community through this time and introduce us to their Support Group for new mothers and how is this Support Group different from just getting together with friends or other forms of informal support. Tune in to listen to this very engaging and important conversation about a less talked topic! Watch the full episode here.

In this episode, we are in conversation with Zoon Ahmed Khan about China`s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with a special focus on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). We talk about the reasons behind misunderstandings and myths about the project and the country and how things can be improved. Zoon takes us through the lives and experiences of the Chinese and there are some lessons to be learned for everyone. Zoon Ahmed Khan is a Pakistani researcher and journalist based in Beijing since 2015. She specializes in Chinese Foreign Policy including the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and South-South Cooperation. She has conducted in-depth fieldwork on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, including Gwadar Port. Watch the full episode here. 

In this special World Radio Day episode of Sukhan Unplugged, we are in conversation with Javed Pasha about the history, evolution, present, and future of Radio. We talk about how radio is still among the most trusted sources of information and has played its part in literally liberating countries.   Javed Pasha is the son of famous songwriter Nazam Panipatti, the person responsible for introducing South Asian film industry legends like Johnny Walker, Helen, and Vyjayanthimala. Lata Mangeshkar's first-ever recorded song was written by him as well. Javed Pasha has made his name as a drama writer, penning down more than 126 plays for Radio Pakistan. He has written hundreds of TV dramas and columns in local newspapers. His work focuses on the social dilemmas our society faces today. Watch the episode here. 

Fatmah defines different types of losses and processes of grief for us.  She discusses how losses that are a natural part of life where some can be distressing (e.g. sudden, traumatic, or 'out-of-turn), or ambiguous. The various forms that loss can take (not just death), and grief as the way we process loss. We talk about the individual and cultural processes of navigating grief and how to support/approach a bereaving person. We explore at what point one needs professional therapy with grief and loss, and what working with grief in therapy looks like. Watch the full episode here. 

Seasoned psychotherapist Jasmyn Rana addresses the societal impact of violence and femicide, and how canceled culture can work against true accountability and justice. Jasmyn Rana is a Psychotherapist based in Lahore who has dedicated the last decade of her private practice to working with Adults and Couples. Her modality is relationally integrative, and her other areas of work involve being a clinical supervisor, corporate consultant, facilitating therapy groups, and having spent some time teaching at a university level. You can reach her at https://counseling.pk/jasmyn | Watch the episode here. 

In this episode, we explore Conflict (اختلاف) as a normal and healthy part of all relationships. We discuss how there are healthy and unhealthy ways of engaging in conflict. Tooba introduces us to Compass of Reactions, the importance of healthy conflict, and tools for having healthy conflict.  Tooba is a psychotherapist based in Lahore. She is a Fulbright scholar and received her Master's degree in Counselling Psychology from Boston College. She founded The Safe Space, which is a community and co-working space for psychotherapists. She has also facilitated the South Asia dialogue program for Seeds of Peace, which revolves around conflict resolution. Watch the episode here.

In this episode, we talk about the prevalent issues faced by us regarding #Covid19. We explore what it is like for us to adjust to virtual interactions and relationships. We talk about how our body and mind are handling virtual interactions without the physical presence of our loved ones. The conversation focuses on finding work-life balance and particularly explore the challenges faced by mental health professionals. Lastly and most importantly how do we navigate isolation and loneliness in the pandemic? Noor Durrani is a foreign qualified psychotherapist who holds a Masters's degree in Mental Health Counseling from Columbia University, New York, and a Bachelors's degree from Canada in Psychology. You can watch it here. 

In the sixth episode, we explore the ever-important question: what does it mean to have a relationship with ourselves? We question how do we feel about ourselves, what we believe about ourselves, and how we feel in our own company. We discuss how all of this impacts our behavior and relationships and if our relationship with ourselves is suffering, how do we engage with the work of healing?  Maheen is a pluralistic therapist based in Lahore. She holds a Master’s degree in Counselling from Abertay University, Scotland. She is experienced with face-to-face and online counseling mediums, as well as in conducting academic mental health research. You can contact her at m.saeed.counselling@gmail.com. You can watch the full episode here. 

In the fifth episode, we talk to Geti-Ara Sayed about the value of strong friendships and social support, and what healthy friendships look like. We define healthy boundaries in friendships and talk about losing friendships, red flags, and friend break-ups (and how much all of these can hurt). In the later part, we define and discuss what makes a Community, and what role they play in individual and collective well-being, and more importantly why communities can be especially important as safe spaces for marginalized groups. You can watch the full episode here.

In the fourth episode, Tooba Qaiser explains the term "neurodiverse" and what neurodiversity looks like in children and its common presentation. We discuss how we can be more compassionate towards neurodiverse children and break the idea that they can be "fixed" or "should try harder". Recognizing the stress of parenting neurodiverse children, and providing some resources for managing oneself and the child. You can watch the episode here. Tooba Qaiser is a practicing Clinical Psychologist and a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (CBT). As a proud Autism Mom, she founded ‘team_neurodiversity’, an organization that focuses on creating awareness and acceptance for children with special needs, furthermore, giving them the regard and respect in the general public that they merit through engaging incorporation and inclusion.

The third episode with Daheem Din helps us in understanding childhood from the child's perspective and highlighting important socio-emotional skills that caregivers can foster, and how.  Daheem is a psychotherapist and clinical supervisor with over ten years of experience working with children, young adults, and adults in individual and group therapy. She has a Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy from California State University (Long Beach), and is a certified Clinical Supervisor with COCAB, UK. You can also watch this episode on our YouTube channel here.

Maryam Suheyl is a marriage and family therapist and a Fulbright scholar practicing in Pakistan for over a decade. She also a supervisor, teacher, and a corporate consultant. She can be reached through her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/marriagetherapy | You can watch the episode here.

Taluqaat تعلقات  is a podcast series that interviews experienced therapists about attachment, love, conflict, communication, and grief among other relational topics.  The first episode explores Attachment as a blueprint for relational patterns, how attachment styles impact all our relationships, and pathways to identifying and healing attachment wounds.  Omar is an experienced psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, and trainer. He has provided over 6000 hours of individual and group therapy accrued in Pakistan, the US, Australia, and through tele-health over the last 10 years.  Omar's clinical interests are in attachment and relationships, complex trauma, self-esteem, working with men, and processing difficult childhood experiences. He primarily works with adults between 26-65 years of age who don't present any risk issues presently. You can watch the episode here.

In today`s episode we talk to Isbah Khalid about stereotypes and challenges associated to Autism. She is mother to an amazing and loving young Ateeb who is one of the kindest souls you`ll ever meet. We talk about her life as a single parent to an Autistic kid and how as a society we need to understand their language and more importantly change our attitude towards them. You can watch the episode on our YouTube channel here.

In todays episode Adeel joins us for an interesting discussion on the challenges and stereotypes associated with desi men if they are involved fathers. Adeel (also known as Jellyman from his radio days) runs his own Instagram blog where he documents his experiences and creates awareness regarding the challenges and stereotypes associated with involved fathers. 

In this episode Hammad and Adeel talk about their experiences and exchange notes on parenting. Desi dads are often called names, ridiculed and discouraged from actively participating as it doesn't go with the image of a desi "man". We discuss how important it is to take breaks and give each other space, take collective decisions and the challenges of parenting in today's world. Is it really possible to an involved dad in a desi household? Who needs to take a stand and how? Listen to this less talked but very important coversation and share your views.

Watch the episode here

We are in conversation with Sana Munir, who is an author and we are going to talk about her latest book The Stained-Glass Window: Stories of the Pandemic from Pakistan. Sana Munir is the Lahore-based author of Unfettered Wings: Extraordinary Stories of Ordinary Women. A fiction writer with a feminist approach, she believes Feminism is not just an ideology or school of thought but a way of life rooted in the essential moral principles of equality, acceptance, and justice. Watch the episode here

Arafat Mazhar is the director of Engage Foundation for Research and Dialogue, Shehri Pakistan, Puffball Studios. He is the author of the research paper "Plurality, Dissent, and Hegemony: The Story Behind Pakistan's Blasphemy Law," and has written and directed Urdu animated movies titled "Shehr e Tabbassum" and "Swipe" which are available on their YouTube channel  In this conversation with Sukhan, Arafat Mazhar talks about his upbringing in a conservative right wing family and his journey of growth and evolution. He talks about co-existence, the issues of Pakistani society, and suggests some practical changes to the law to make it more relevant and acceptable. He talks about visual storytelling and the process behind the making of these movies along with latest updates about his upcoming projects. You can watch the episode here

Danish Jabbar Khan has always pushed the boundaries of his discipline whether it was corporate or development sector in his work life spanning 18 years. He is serving as CEO Kaarvan Crafts Foundation and which was awarded as a High Impact Organization by HRH the Prince of Wales’s The British Asian Trust. Khan believes that the representation and participation of women will pave the path for a culture of peace in Pakistan. Join us as he takes us through the effort to create a world of cooperation and collaboration where men and women stand side by side as equal participants. You can watch the episode on our YouTube channel. 

In conversation with Risham Waseem (Co Founder Documentary Association Pakistan) about Chalta Phirta Documentary Festival. Risham Waseem is a digital content creator and documentary film maker based in Lahore, Pakistan. She is the creative director of Maati TV, Pakistan’s first web based interactive video platform aimed at putting forward an alternative narrative of Pakistan in support of human rights, democracy and cultural diversity through various digital story telling techniques. In this episode, she talks about documentary scene in Pakistan, Chalta Phirta Doc Festival and upcoming projects by Documentary Association of Pakistan. Follow these links to stay updated about upcoming movies and their work. Facebook: https://bit.ly/3aIS4xf | YouTube: https://bit.ly/2DKQSgD

Today we are in conversation with the very versatile and dynamic author Fatima Bhutto. Hailing from the famous Bhutto family, she was born in Kabul in 1982 and graduated from Columbia University in 2004, majoring in Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures and from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in 2005 with a Masters in South Asian Government and Politics. She is the author of multiple books including Whispers of the Desert, 8.50 a.m. 8 October 2005, Songs of Blood and Sword, The Shadow Of The Crescent Moon, The Runaways and New Kings of the World Dispatches from Bollywood, Dizi, and K-Pop A vast cultural movement. In this episode she talks about her writing and reading passions and about her upcoming projects. In groundbreaking research highlighting the global mass culture that’s rapidly displacing US exports, Fatima Bhutto offers a lively, inside look at Bollywood, Turkish soap operas, and the South Korean music sensation known as  K-Pop. You can watch the episode on YouTube

We have Haya Fatima Iqbal who is an Academy and two-time Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker. She directs, produces, and shoots films across Pakistan. Haya is an Acumen fellow and a Fulbright scholar. She holds a Masters in News & Documentary from New York University. She teaches journalism. She also trains people in storytelling, filmmaking and journalism in Pakistan and abroad. Haya is the Co-Founder of Documentary Association of Pakistan (DAP), an initiative to promote the culture of documentary watching in public spaces all over Pakistan. Watch the episode on YouTube

In conversation with Kanwal Ahmed (Founder Soul Sisters Pakistan & host Conversations with Kanwal) & Usama Khilji (Activist and Director Bolo Bhi) about data protection, cyber harrassment and cyber laws. You can watch the episode on YouTube. 

A conversation about about reading & writing in isolation, Pakistan's poor experience with reforming its legal system, constitutional politics, nature of time & setting of his novel #SnuffingOuttheMoon in six eras with Dr Osama Siddique. You can watch it on our YouTube channel