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.

  1. 3h ago

    I Dropped Out of A-Levels. Here’s How I Built an EV App Using AI in 5 Months. ft. Fahad Hassan | TBT

    https://muzamilhasan.com/podcast/applyAre electric vehicles actually taking over Pakistan, or are drivers suffering from severe "range anxiety"? In this episode of the Thought Behind Things podcast, I sit down with Fahad Hassan, a self-taught developer who dropped out of A-Levels, spent a decade freelancing on Upwork, and used AI to build "ChargePK"—Pakistan’s premier EV charging aggregator app—in just 5 months.While everyone is busy chasing speculative crypto coins or generic AI hype, Fahad focused on a real, physical problem: helping EV owners find chargers, check live availability, and plan trips across cities. We discuss how he built an omni-platform app (iOS, Android, CarPlay, Watch) entirely solo using AI, the brutal realities of Pakistan's early-stage EV infrastructure, and why building "boring" utility apps for local industries is where the real money is. If you want to see what practical, AI-aided software development looks like in the trenches of Pakistan, watch this until the end.Intro: The EV Wave in Pakistan & Meeting Fahad HassanDropping Out of A-Levels to Start Coding in 2012The Birth of ChargePK: Solving Personal "Range Anxiety"Building Solo: How AI Cut Multi-Platform App Development to 5 MonthsUX & Design First: Why Pakistani Apps Usually Look TerribleThe Reality of EV Infrastructure in Pakistan (Lahore to Karachi)Monetization & B2B Partnerships: Working with Charging StationsWhy Local Utility Apps Beat Speculative Tech HypeOutro & How to Test/Give Feedback on ChargePK

  2. 1d ago

    The Hidden Elite Funding Pakistan’s AI & Data Center Boom ft. Aly Fahd | TBT Podcast

    https://muzamilhasan.com/podcast/apply Is the era of "free VC money" over, or is Pakistan's tech ecosystem finally maturing? In this episode of the Thought Behind Things podcast, I sit down with Ali Fahad, Founder and CEO of PakLaunch, to decode the shifting dynamics of global capital, AI data centers, and why overseas Pakistanis are aggressively investing back home. While the mainstream media focuses on political instability, a massive shift is happening behind closed doors. From local family offices funding Silicon Valley AI startups to businessmen using Pakistan to bypass US-China tariffs, the macroeconomic reality of the region is changing. We discuss the upcoming PakLaunch Unconference in New York, the rise of unapologetic Gen-Z nationalism in the diaspora, and how Pakistan can realistically position itself as a top 10 global tech ecosystem by 2030. If you want to understand where the smart money is moving, you need to watch this. Timestamps: (Note: Adjust exact minute markers to match your final video timeline) Intro: Navigating Geopolitics, Tech & Startups What is PakLaunch? The New York Unconference Explained The End of "Free Money" & The Maturation of Pakistani Startups Geopolitics: Why Overseas Pakistanis Are Looking Back Home Gen-Z Diaspora & The Rise of Unapologetic Nationalism Why Are We Begging for US Dollars? (Local Wealth Steps Up) Earning Trust: Why Due Diligence is Failing in Pakistan AI, Global Recessions, and the Future of Pakistani Jobs The AI Data Center Boom: Saudi, US, and Chinese Investments Looking East: Why Pakistan Must Pivot to China & ASEAN The Loophole: Bypassing US-China Tariffs Through Pakistan Pakistan 2030 Outlook: Can We Become a Top 10 Tech Ecosystem?

  3. 6d ago

    Don't Complain About Jobs: How 1 Tweet Changed This 25-Year-Old’s Life | Raheel Siddiqui

    Are AI tools taking your jobs, or are you just not building fast enough? In this episode of the Thought Behind Things podcast, I sit down with 25-year-old developer Raheel Siddiqui, the creator of pakistangov.online.After seeing the US launch a central AI hub for government services (america.gov), Raheel used Claude and his coding skills to build a Pakistani equivalent in just 30 minutes! Running on $0 infrastructure, the site blew up on Twitter, pulling in over 30,000 users and even catching the attention of the IT Minister. We discuss how students can survive the AI wave, the power of building "taste" in product design, and why taking action is the only way to win in the new economy. Plus, we dive into Raheel's journey of solo traveling the world as a digital nomad.Timestamps:Intro: The America.gov Launch & Wishing for Better Tech in PakistanMeet Raheel Siddiqui & The Birth of pakistangov.onlineGoing Viral: Handling 30,000 Users on a $0 BudgetJob Offers, Investors, and the IT Minister Reaching OutRaheel’s Journey: From Usman Institute of Technology to Global NomadAdvice for CS Students: Is Coding Dead Because of AI?Why Building "Taste" and Great UX is More Important Than CodeThe "Backdoor Strategy" for Landing International JobsFinding B2B Software Opportunities Within PakistanSolo Traveling Southeast Asia as a Digital Nomad (Chiang Mai)Outro: Are You Excited or Scared of the AI Revolution?

  4. Oct 6

    Why Airlift Failed But This Tech Startup Became Profitable | Maha Shahzad | TBT Podcast

    How did a Pakistani mobility startup achieve profitability in a sector that destroyed giants like Airlift, Uber, and Swvl? In this episode of the Thought Behind Things podcast, Maha from Bus Karo returns to share the untold reality of surviving Pakistan’s brutal public transport graveyard amidst skyrocketing fuel prices.While the tech ecosystem celebrates funding rounds, we are taking a hard look at the macro-economic nightmare of running a real, operational business in Pakistan. Maha breaks down the absurd reality of the country's taxation system—where unprofitable startups are forced to use foreign VC money just to pay 70% withholding taxes to the government. We also dive into the harsh economics of Electric Vehicles (EVs) for public transport, the lack of working capital from local banks, and why building a business in Pakistan right now is strictly for "masochists." If you want an unfiltered, unscripted look into the true cost of solving Pakistan's biggest systemic problems, watch this until the end.Timestamps: (Note: Adjust the exact minute markers to match your final video timeline)Intro: The Startup Graveyard (Airlift, Swvl) & A Rare Success StoryHow Bus Karo Reached Profitability Amidst a Fuel CrisisThe Real Numbers: 1.5 Million Bookings & 30,000 Daily UsersWhy Govt Fuel Subsidies Completely Ignore the Poorest CommutersWill Electric Buses (EVs) Actually Work in Pakistan? (The Real Math)The Cost of ICE vs. EV Buses: Who Pays the Delta?Why Investors Stopped Funding Non-AI StartupsThe 70% Tax Trap: Paying Government Taxes with Foreign VC MoneyWhy Pakistani Banks Refuse to Lend to StartupsCorporate Jugaad, Fraud, and the Broken Mobility Ecosystem"Don't Build in Pakistan Unless You're a Masochist"

  5. Sep 8

    He Predicted the Crypto Crash 5 Years Ago. (Here is What Happens Next) ft. Ahmad Manzoor | TBT Podcast

    Is the internet dying? With AI bots and "slop" projected to make up 99% of web traffic, the need for verified, authentic data has never been more critical. In this episode, Ahmad Manzoor returns to the Thought Behind Things podcast to reveal how Blockchain is secretly fixing the AI data crisis, the evolution of NADRA's digital identity system, and what the global push for Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) means for Pakistan's economy. Five years ago, we warned you about the crypto and NFT bubble. Today, the hype is dead, but the underlying technology is quietly transforming the global financial system. We break down the shift from speculative coins to real-world applications like Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and tokenized real estate. More importantly, we debate the terrifying reality of the "cashless society"—how the transition to digital currencies could lead to an authoritarian surveillance state where your financial liberty is completely monitored. Forget the tech buzzwords; this is how the macro-economy is fundamentally changing.

  6. Aug 29

    How an FSc Student Used "Free Work" to Charge $2,500 for SaaS Animations ft. Badar Munir | TBT Podcast

    Can a beginner with zero technical background actually make thousands of dollars using AI? In this episode of Thought Behind Things, I sit down with Badar Munir, founder of Aghaaz and one of Pakistan's top AI educators, to break down the exact roadmaps, workflows, and client acquisition strategies working right now.Join the Inner Circle, my weekly letter on AI, building, and being early to what's coming:https://muzamilhasan.com/inner-circleRead the thesis, the one idea behind everything I'm building:https://muzamilhasan.com/thesisMy website:https://muzamilhasan.comFrom building apps using tools like Cursor and Lovable to executing ruthless LinkedIn and X outreach that lands high-ticket clients, Badar shares how he scaled his training platform to over 15,000 students. We dive into the real-world shift from simple AI automation to "product-led services," why a founder mindset beats chasing shiny objects, and how to position yourself to win in the post-AI job market.

  7. Aug 27

    The Sugar Mafia: The Biggest Financial Scam in Pakistan's History | Dil ki Baat

    Why is Pakistan growing a crop that causes diabetes, consumes 17% of our water, and brings in zero dollars? In this episode of Dil Ki Baat, I expose the dark reality of Pakistan's Sugar Mafia, the elite political families controlling the agriculture sector, and why the salaried class is forced to foot the bill while billionaires pay almost zero tax.Article 1: https://weeklycuttingedge.com/cotton-to-cane-how-sugar-barons-hijacked-pakistans-agricultural-future/Article 2: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610094/sindh-opposes-immediate-sugar-deregulationThis episode is sponsored by Taptap Send.Download Taptap Send using the following link: https://taptapsend.onelink.me/LrabUse code 'MUZAMILPK' for a first time bonusJoin the Inner Circle, my weekly letter on AI, building, and being early to what's coming:https://muzamilhasan.com/inner-circleRead the thesis, the one idea behind everything I'm building:https://muzamilhasan.com/thesisMy website:https://muzamilhasan.comFollowing up on our AI Data Center series, we take a hard look at the real reason Pakistan is facing a water and economic crisis. On the TBT Podcast, we don't just complain about inflation; we break down the macro-economics behind it. Today, we uncover how 94% of Pakistan's water is swallowed by outdated farming, why the government bans imported sugar (Rs. 60/kg) to sell you local sugar at Rs. 150/kg, and how the shift from cotton to sugarcane is destroying our export economy. If you want to understand how elite capture, colonial-era regulations, and political mafias are keeping Pakistan poor, you need to watch this until the end. Deregulation is the only way out.

  8. Aug 26

    They Are Lying About Pakistan's Water Crisis (It’s Not What You Think) | Dil ki Baat

    Will AI data centers really drink all of Pakistan's water? In this episode of Dil Ki Baat, I break down the viral myths surrounding water scarcity in Pakistan and reveal the shocking truth about where our water actually goes. From the reality of agricultural water waste to the controversial need to price water, we explore the macroeconomic facts you need to know. This episode is sponsored by Taptap Send. Download Taptap Send using the following link: https://taptapsend.onelink.me/Lrab Use code 'MUZAMILPK' for a first time bonus Join the Inner Circle, my weekly letter on AI, building, and being early to what's coming: https://muzamilhasan.com/inner-circle Read the thesis, the one idea behind everything I'm building: https://muzamilhasan.com/thesis My website: https://muzamilhasan.com On the TBT Podcast, we look past the sensational headlines to understand the macro-economic realities of technology and resources. Recently, there's been an uproar claiming that new AI data centers in Pakistan will cause severe water shortages. Today, I dive deep into the data to show why data centers will use less than 0.01% of our water, while 94% is consumed by outdated agricultural practices. We discuss the critical need to price water to prevent an impending crisis, why corporate farming exports are actually exporting our subsidized water, and how understanding these dynamics is essential for our survival. If we don't act now, we'll be fighting over water in a few short years.

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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Syed Muzamil Hasan Zaidi
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    593
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 394258
  • Show Website
    Thought Behind Things

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