On this episode of Asia Inside Out, Farwa Aamer, Director of South Asia Initiatives at the Asia Society Policy Institute, sits down with H.E. Professor Ahsan Iqbal, Pakistan's Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, to discuss Pakistan's economic transformation and evolving role in regional and global affairs.

The conversation explores U.S.-Pakistan relations, critical minerals, Pakistan's strategy for balancing ties with both the United States and China, CPEC 2.0, artificial intelligence, technology sovereignty, climate resilience, water security, renewable energy, electric vehicles, and the future of regional cooperation in South Asia. Minister Iqbal also discusses Pakistan's AI ecosystem, education reforms, investment priorities, and his vision for economic growth through innovation, connectivity, and geoeconomics.

Asia Inside Out brings together our team and special guests to take you beyond the latest policy headlines and provide an insider’s view on regional and global affairs. Each episode we’ll deliver an interview with informed experts, analysts, and decision-makers from across the Asia-Pacific region. If you want to dig into the details of how policy works, this is the podcast for you.

This podcast is produced by the Asia Society Policy Institute, a “think-and-do tank” working on the cutting edge of current policy trends by incorporating the best ideas from our experts and contributors into recommendations for policymakers to put these plans into practice.