And instead of playing the ‘victim’ card, Pakistan can reframe its mentality; adversity is an excellent instructor. To borrow a term coined by Nassim Nicholas Taleb, the country is ‘Anti-Fragile’ and NOT resilient, as so many like to say. Resilience implies you resume from the same place where you left off - and that, in reality, is no progress made. If one gets knocked down, they get back up.

Ok, that’s good, but what’s next? If someone keeps getting back up they are resilient. But if they don’t eventually learn how to avoid getting knocked down, then what does that say about them? They are resilient, yes, but not learning from adversity. And that’s a problem. One must learn from black swan events and learn to thrive from chaos. This is not necessarily easy to learn. But Pakistan must do so.

Many label Pakistan a chaos state. If - and this is a very big If - Pakistan is willing to learn how to thrive from regional chaos (not to necessarily imply that Pakistan has, or does, contribute to regional chaos) then I believe there is hope for the region. But Pakistan’s efforts for regional stability must be genuine - for the people’s best interests.

India will never be a true ally of the USA. Why? Simply, it has its own aspirations of being a superpower. India is striving to compete with the USA. And this is in no way a slight against the Indian people - I’m simply stating what the Indian government’s aspirations are. Pakistan is the only real regional partner who is, and should be treated, as a valuable ally - if the right people are in charge. Global balance is required.

Why are you so interested in this country?
Pakistani-Americans convinced me to come to Pakistan, otherwise I likely would never have made it over to this part of the world. Pakistan is in my soul. I feel as if a part of me lived here long ago and it’s now part of my duty to help the people of this country in whatever way I can.

Can you relate any interesting incident in this regard?
The memories and lessons learned here have been priceless. Even the bad experiences have helped me develop more empathy towards others. There are countless incidents of overwhelming kindness and the loving nature of the people. The generosity of spirit of the people in the villages and remote areas is what keeps me here.

Have you ever been advised not to talk about Pakistani politics?
Yes, by keyboard warriors and those who don’t like a woman speaking her own mind.

You claim to be a v-logger. How do you qualify for that?
I never claimed to be a v-logger. These are inaccurate labels put on me by others.

You have been living in Pakistan for some time. What attracts you here?
The challenge of accomplishing something meaningful. Whenever I depart, I would love nothing more than being remembered as the American who tried to improve US-Pakistan relations. And, in the process show who we are on the people-to-people level.

How could you contribute more positively to this country?
I believe my short films, done at my own expense I might add, have contributed positively. I started filming in 2015 - and since then many v-loggers have come to Pakistan. I also created the concept of “Emerging Pakistan” - essentially positing Pakistan as a re-emerging market. The narrative contributes significantly towards a self-fulfilling prophecy at the micro and macro levels - and this was part of the narrative I was trying to incorporate into my short films. Unfortunately when PML-N was in power, just prior to the PTI win, the Ministry of Commerce set up a meeting with me. The Ministry of Commerce created a feigned attempt to use my concept and film work to promote their so-called new initiative, “Emerging Pakistan”. Dr. Zaidi, in addition to the then MOC team leading the meetings, acknowledged me as being the originator of the concept “Emerging Pakistan”, and led me to believe they wanted me to lead this initiative globally. They basically stole my concept and used my film work globally to promote Pakistan without my permission.

Holding those accountable who lie, cheat and steal (intellectual property, included) is one way I can contribute more positively to this country.

Another is to help amplify genuine human rights voices, especially those of the vulnerable populations. The silence regarding my case from the so-called womens’ rights and human rights “advocates” is quite telling, and is an embarrassment for genuine workers. Too many people are afraid to come forward. They can’t take the online bullying - especially from the media and women “influencers”. This bullying does not bother me; I am able and willing to absorb as much as I can, so that my experience helps make the process easier for others who have historically not had a voice. It’s too bad my experience was “politically inconvenient” for the so-called advocates. This region - world, really - needs objective, neutral ombudsmen and mediators to help investigate matters such as these. One shouldn’t be required to agree politically in order to get a professional, impartial investigation.

Are you looking for some kind of a political role?
Only if I felt I could contribute in a significant, meaningful long-term manner towards improved global relations. Other than that, no.