Shows
Notes on a ScandalSociety Girl - the book! ft. Sanam MaherAnnouncing: Society Girl -- A Tale of Sex, Lies and Scandal, the new book by Saba Imtiaz & Tooba Masood-Khan (Roli Books, 2024). The book explores the circumstances around the death of the poet and former civil servant Mustafa Zaidi in October 1970, and the ensuing scandal that became a fixture in Pakistani newspapers. This new investigation into a story of twisted motives and murderous intentions, of it-girls and playboys, of class and culture, and a press out for blood and salaciousness, tells a far more complex tale than anyone could have possibly imagined. On this special episode...
2024-11-141h 01
Notes on a ScandalAnnouncing our new book SOCIETY GIRL and a very special conversation!Announcing: Society Girl - A Tale of Sex, Lies, and Scandal, the new book by Saba Imtiaz & Tooba Masood-Khan (Roli Books, 2024). The book explores the circumstances around the death of the poet and former civil servant Mustafa Zaidi in October 1970, and the ensuing scandal that became a fixture in Pakistani newspapers. This new investigation into a story of twisted motives and murderous intentions, of it-girls and playboys, of class and culture, and a press out for blood and salaciousness, tells a far more complex tale than anyone could have possibly imagined. On an upcoming episode...
2024-11-1301 min
Himal Southasian Podcast ChannelSouthasia Review of Books podcast #11: Sex, scandal and the death of a poet in 1970s KarachiIn this episode, Shwetha Srikanthan, associate editor at Himal Southasian, speaks to the journalists Saba Imtiaz and Tooba Masood-Khan about their new book Society Girl: A Tale of Sex, Lies, and Scandal (October 2024, Roli Books).
On one October morning in 1970, phones began ringing all over Karachi. The established poet and former civil servant Mustafa Zaidi had been found dead in his bedroom. He wasn’t alone: Shahnaz Gul, a socialite in her late twenties, who was Zaidi’s muse and lover, was lying unconscious in the next room.
What seemed like an apparent suicide turned into...
2024-11-1056 min
Climate MahaulSomething's in the Air | Climate Mahaul | Episode 4 | Season 2 | TabadlabIn this episode, Zuha Siddiqui from Rest of World shares her investigative journey uncovering the impact of smog on gig workers in Lahore, Delhi, and Dhaka. She reveals the alarming levels of air pollution her team discovered, and the struggles faced by workers navigating these hazardous conditions. Ameera Adil, head of sustainability at NUST and climate activist, joins the conversation to discuss Pakistan's air quality crisis. She lays out the profound effects of air pollution on quality of life, examining measurement methods, health implications, and government policies.Listen to the full episode to understand this critical issue...
2024-04-1838 min
People Fixing the WorldClever ways to get kids learningSchools across Senegal have discovered a clever way for children to surf the web even when there isn't any signal.They're using a special WIFI hotspot which works without an actual internet connection, so students and teachers can access all the relevant bits of the web, offline.Around the world, innovators are coming up with solutions like this - all designed to get children learning. We also hear from an entrepreneur revolutionising how science is taught in Ghana and a night school in Pakistan for children not in formal education.Presenter: Myra Anubi
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2024-03-0523 min
Climate MahaulCOP28 WrappedIn the latest Climate Mahaul episode, host Tooba Masood delves into a compelling conversation with Maha Kamal about recent developments in climate finance, the loss and damage fund, and the just energy transition partnerships at COP28. They break down what these advancements mean for Pakistan and the rest of the global south.
2023-12-2127 min
Climate MahaulDrowning in DebtIn the latest episode of Climate Mahaul, host Tooba Masood engages in a conversation with Anam Zeb and Zeeshan Salahuddin to explore how climate events can exacerbate the debt crisis. Together, they unpack the dynamic relationship between climate change and the debt crisis, using the 2022 super floods in Pakistan as a real-world example.
2023-11-1135 min
Climate MahaulHot Mess: Season 02 TeaserThe Road to COP28: What Pakistan Should Bring to the Table.Flood and Financing, and the Future of Climate Debt Justice.Tune in to Climate Mahaul's season teaser of Season 2, hosted by Tooba Masood, Manager at Tabadlab, where she delves deeper into the conversation with Ammar Habib Khan, Ahmad Rafay Alam and Zeeshan Salahuddin.
2023-11-0832 min
Notes on a ScandalS02E08: FinaleIn the finale episode of Notes on a Scandal, Saba and Tooba look at what happened to Shahnaz Gul after she was cleared of the charge of killing Mustafa Zaidi, the sightings of Shahnaz in Karachi over the years, and how people viewed her in the years since she captured the country's imagination. Later on in the episode, we answer questions and discuss theories sent to us by listeners.Thank you for listening! Find us on Instagram and Twitter: Instagram: @murdermystery70Tooba Masood-KhanTwitter: @tabahitooba Instagram: @tabahitooba
2022-12-1129 min
Notes on a ScandalS2E07: VerdictOn the penultimate episode of this season — and the podcast — Saba and Tooba continue tracking the proceedings against Shahnaz Gul in a district court in Karachi, taking place while the country was engulfed in war. In 1972, a verdict is announced in the case of the State vs Shahnaz Gul. For the finale, we invite questions and thoughts about the season and its themes. If there’s anything you’d like to share about your knowledge of the case or if you just have a conspiracy theory — send in your questions and thoughts on Twitter and Instagram.Photo: Star newsp...
2022-11-2029 min
Notes on a ScandalS02E06: Romeo and Juliet go to CourtAs legal proceedings against Shahnaz Gul get underway, her lawyer and the prosecution battle it out in court in a bail hearing. Shakespeare is invoked. Shahnaz is held in a police lockup, and then sent to Karachi's Central Jail, where details of her detention are being leaked to reporters. We take a look at the court proceedings of the State vs Shahnaz Gul - from the day Shahnaz Gul is presented before a magistrate to when she gets out on bail.Photo: Published in Star, February 1971. Courtesy Dawn Library. Thank you for listening! Find us o...
2022-11-0527 min
Notes on a ScandalS02E05: Body of LiesADVISORY: This episode contains mentions of suicide. Listener discretion is advised.How do you connect the dots of a story where so much is missing? Why is there blood at the crime scene? And why did Shahnaz remain unconscious all night -- and is that even possible? Saba and Tooba attempt to understand the forensic investigation into Mustafa Zaidi's death with Dr Summaiya Syed Tariq, the Additional Police Surgeon at Karachi's Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Hospital and a forensic consultant. This episode features condensed quotes from an interview with Dr Summaiya Syed Tariq.Photo: A...
2022-10-2235 min
Notes on a ScandalS02E04: Bringing up the BodiesADVISORY: This episode contains scenes of a distressing nature. Listener discretion is advised.In November 1970, nearly a month after Mustafa Zaidi died, his body was exhumed for a second medical examination, all in a quest for doctors and police officials to figure out: how did Mustafa Zaidi die? What could they find that could help them build a case against their suspect in custody, Shahnaz Gul? Saba and Tooba discuss the dramatic and surreal events of the exhumation, and recall their quest to find Mustafa's grave in Karachi in 2019.The images described in the episode...
2022-09-3026 min
Notes on a ScandalS02E03: Drama at Drigh RoadWe take a look at the frenzied hours after the arrest of Shahnaz Gul, and how the police in Karachi, Pakistan handled the initial investigation. Later in the episode, we talk to the academic Dr Zoha Waseem, the author of Insecure Guardians: Enforcement, Encounters and Everyday Policing in Postcolonial Karachi, about perceptions of the Karachi police, how they handle cases involving the elite, and the social dynamics at play in a complex investigation like the Mustafa Zaidi case. About Dr Waseem:Dr Zoha Waseem is an Assistant Professor in Criminology at the University of Warwick, U...
2022-09-1642 min
Notes on a ScandalS02E02: Trial by FireOn November 5, 1970, Shahnaz Gul was arrested by the Karachi police on charges of killing Mustafa Zaidi. She was represented by S S Shaikh, one of Karachi's most well-known lawyers. The trial was a media circus -- Shahnaz was hounded by press photographers. Dozens of members of the public went to the hearings, hanging around court to catch a glimpse of Shahnaz, whose legendary beauty is still spoken of with reverence in Karachi. Shahnaz's lawyers maintained that she was innocent. Lawyer Sara Malkani joins the episode to talk about the trial, and how women are treated by the criminal justice...
2022-09-0238 min
Notes on a ScandalS02E01: The Christine Keeler of PakistanNotes on a Scandal's Season 2 "The State vs Shahnaz Gul" premieres with a recounting of the 1960s saga that led to Mustafa Zaidi printing flyers calling Shahnaz a Pakistani Christine Keeler. It's the title that would stick with her forever. Newspaper headlines voiced by Mina MalikAyub Khan's portrait is courtesy archives of The Mirror (1968 Anniversary Issue)Mentioned on the episode:Netflix - The CrownSeason 2 Episode 10 "Mystery Man"https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/80025678BBC One - The Trial of Christine Keelerhttps://www.bbc.co...
2022-08-2621 minNotes on a ScandalTrailer 2 - Season 2: The State vs Shahnaz GulA trailer for the upcoming second season of Notes on a Scandal: The State vs Shahnaz Gul. Thank you for listening! Find us on Instagram and Twitter: Instagram: @murdermystery70Tooba Masood-KhanTwitter: @tabahitooba Instagram: @tabahitoobaSaba ImtiazTwitter: @sabaimtiaz Instagram: @sabaimtiaz
2022-07-1900 minNotes on a ScandalTrailer - Season 2: The State vs Shahnaz GulA trailer for the upcoming second season of Notes on a Scandal: The State vs Shahnaz Gul. Credits:English / Urdu headlines by Mina Malik, a writer and poet based in Lahore who dreams of treading the boards.Recitation of Mustafa Zaidi's verses, courtesy Zaheer Alam KidwaiThank you for listening! Find us on Instagram and Twitter: Instagram: @murdermystery70Tooba Masood-KhanTwitter: @tabahitooba Instagram: @tabahitoobaSaba ImtiazTwitter: @sabaimtiaz Instagram: @sabaimtiaz
2022-07-1400 min
Notes on a ScandalMissing VersesIn the season finale, we discuss the various influential men who were reportedly connected to the case, and why everyone cast around for suspects. We discuss the theories around Mustafa's death and Shahnaz's involvement, and why almost every theory has one gaping hole that can't be explained. Thank you for listening! Find us on Instagram and Twitter: Instagram: @murdermystery70Tooba Masood-KhanTwitter: @tabahitooba Instagram: @tabahitoobaSaba ImtiazTwitter: @sabaimtiaz Instagram: @sabaimtiaz
2022-04-1222 min
Notes on a ScandalMurder, He WroteThe police investigate — and arrest a suspect in the death of Mustafa Zaidi. Later in the episode, we analyse the various theories of how Mustafa’s death could have been murder.This episode features verses by Mustafa Zaidi, recited by author and translator Bilal Tanweer.Thank you for listening! Find us on Instagram and Twitter: Instagram: @murdermystery70Tooba Masood-KhanTwitter: @tabahitooba Instagram: @tabahitoobaSaba ImtiazTwitter: @sabaimtiaz Instagram: @sabaimtiaz
2022-03-2022 min
Notes on a ScandalTick Tock We retrace, hour by hour, the events leading up to Mustafa Zaidi's death on October 12, 1970, and discuss a significant, highly-debated comment made by Mustafa in the days before he passed away.Thank you for listening! Find us on Instagram and Twitter: Instagram: @murdermystery70Tooba Masood-KhanTwitter: @tabahitooba Instagram: @tabahitoobaSaba ImtiazTwitter: @sabaimtiaz Instagram: @sabaimtiaz
2022-03-0422 min
Notes on a ScandalSummer of LoveWe look at Shahnaz Gul and Mustafa Zaidi's relationship based on Mustafa Zaidi’s perspective, as seen through anecdotes and statements by his friends. We also revisit the crime scene -- fifty years later. This episode features Mustafa Zaidi's poetry, recited by Sheema Kermani.The Secret Story of Nutmeg - A hidden historyMysteries and Histories of a seed that shaped the world...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifyThank you for listening! Find us on Instagram and Twitter: Instagram: @murdermystery70Tooba Masood-KhanTwitter: @tabahitooba Instagram: @taba...
2022-02-1824 min
Notes on a ScandalThere's Something About ShahnazAdvisory: This episode includes mentions of suicide and suicidal ideation. Listener discretion is advised.We take a look at Shahnaz Gul and Mustafa Zaidi's relationship from the perspective and statements of Shahnaz Gul in the days and months after the scandal broke out into the open. This episode features Mustafa Zaidi's poetry as recited by Sheema Kermani. At the end of the episode, you can hear a clip from a poetry recital featuring Mustafa Zaidi, courtesy Zaheer Alam Kidwai. The Secret Story of Nutmeg - A hidden historyMysteries and Histories of...
2022-02-1024 min
Notes on a ScandalStrangers in the NightWe introduce Shahnaz Gul, the mysterious and much-maligned woman at the centre of the events of Mustafa Zaidi's death. In the late 1960s, Shahnaz and her husband Saleem moved to Karachi... and into the arms of Pakistan's cosmopolitan, swinging elite.Thank you for listening! Find us on Instagram and Twitter: Instagram: @murdermystery70Tooba Masood-KhanTwitter: @tabahitooba Instagram: @tabahitoobaSaba ImtiazTwitter: @sabaimtiaz Instagram: @sabaimtiaz
2022-01-2317 min
Notes on a ScandalClosed DoorsIn 1970, phones begin ringing across Karachi as word spreads that Mustafa Zaidi is dead. Fifty years later, Tooba and Saba find the house where Mustafa died.Thank you for listening! Find us on Instagram and Twitter: Instagram: @murdermystery70Tooba Masood-KhanTwitter: @tabahitooba Instagram: @tabahitoobaSaba ImtiazTwitter: @sabaimtiaz Instagram: @sabaimtiaz
2021-12-2411 min
Notes on a ScandalDeath of a PoetWe introduce the life of the late poet and government officer Mustafa Zaidi, whose mysterious death in Karachi, Pakistan in 1970s caused an explosive scandal. Thank you for listening! Find us on Instagram and Twitter: Instagram: @murdermystery70Tooba Masood-KhanTwitter: @tabahitooba Instagram: @tabahitoobaSaba ImtiazTwitter: @sabaimtiaz Instagram: @sabaimtiaz
2021-12-1008 min