Why Has Pakistan Never Learned from History | Rasol Baksh Rais | Uncut by Ahsan | Epi 13

In the latest episode of Uncut by Ahsan, we had the honor of hosting Dr. Rasul Bakhsh Rais, a distinguished Professor of Political Science in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at LUMS, Lahore, since 2002. Prior to his tenure at LUMS, he served as a professor of International Relations and Political Science for over two decades at the Quaid-i-Azam University, where he also held the position of Director at the Area Study Centre for more than ten years. Dr. Rais boasts an impressive educational background, having earned his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is a prolific author with several notable works to his name, including “Imagining Pakistan: Modernism, State and the Politics of Islamic Revival” (Lexington Books, 2017), “Islam, Ethnicity and Power Politics: Constructing Pakistan’s National Identity” (Oxford University Press, 2017), “Recovering the Frontier State: War, Ethnicity and State in Afghanistan” (Lexington Books, 2008), “War Without Winners: Afghanistan’s Uncertain Transition after the Cold War” (Karachi: Oxford University Press, 1996), and “Indian Ocean and the Superpowers: Economic, Political and Strategic Perspectives” (Croom Helm, 1986). He has also served as the editor of “State, Society, and Democratic Change in Pakistan” (Karachi: Oxford University Press, 1997), and, in collaboration with Charles H. Kennedy, co-authored “Pakistan 1995” (Westview Press, 1996). In this insightful episode, Dr. Rais delved into the question of why Pakistan has struggled to learn from its past and explored various political systems suitable for the country. Notably, he emphasized the merits of a presidential system, distinct from the one observed during the Ayub Khan era. During the conversation, the current political crisis took center stage, and Dr. Rais discussed how multiple parties are united in their efforts to remove Imran Khan and his party from power. He expressed concerns about the fairness of future elections given the prevailing circumstances. The discussion expanded to address broader aspects of Pakistani society, the ruling class, and the country’s economic situation, which Dr. Rais attributed, in part, to the hybrid system in place. Join us in this thought-provoking episode as we gain valuable insights from Dr. Rasul Bakhsh Rais on Pakistan’s political landscape, historical learning, and the challenges that lie ahead.