
Fasi Zaka
(1) What is your full name and date of birth?
Fasi Zaka. 9th October.
(2) Your educational background?
Did my “O” Levels, F.sc and BA (Politics & Economics) from Edwardes College Peshawar, my MBA from Peshawar University and then my Msc. In Education Policy from Oxford University on the Rhodes Scholarship.
(3) Tell us about your career?
I started off teaching at the University of Peshawar, then at the Institute of Management Sciences (IMSciences). During that period I was also a research consultant to the World Bank, doing a programme for Indus Music called On the Fringe, and a Grants Manager for a Bilateral Project. After that I was headhunted out to Adcom as their Head of Ideas which does advertising and marketing strategy for Telenor. During that period I was also a media consultant to the British Council, started writing two columns for the press (An editorial column called The Pakistan Report Card for The News and Man Friday for The Friday Times, and occassionally contribute to Aurora), started my radio show called The Fasi Zaka and Haris Hameed Show on Radio One FM91, and also started doing News Views and Confused for AAJ TV. I continue to teach special seminars whenever universities call me over.
(4) What were your childhood ambitions? Were they fulfilled?
A lot of them have been fulfilled. Always wanted to do radio, and am grateful for the opportunity, the same goes for writing. TV was never on my list, but I now find I enjoy that immensely. I had wanted to be a cricketer, it was a random dream, but I am absolutely devoid of talent there.
(5) Personality you really admire?
Loads. Ricky Gervais, Micheal Moore, Martin Amis, Khalid Bin Sayeed, Robert Fisk, Moeen Qureshi, Ibn-e-Khaldun, Amir Khan, John Gray.
(6) What you think about present boom of entertainment industry? What about its future scope?
It’s a natural boom that is bourne of the recent deregulation. It’s an incredibly exciting field at the present, it allows for opportunities that wont exist once the media consolidates severeal years from now. I am bullish on the future of the media.
(7) Any dream project you want to do or you are doing?
I would love to do a serious programme of political interviews, but havent had the opportunity come my way so far.
(8) Your greatest fear?
Emphysema.
(9) Where you see yourself in next 5 to 10 years?
Owning a 79 corolla fitted with a dohc engine and a supercharger. Would love to drive the streets in an inconspicous and humble looking car that is actually a beast that rocks underneath.
(10)How you describe yourself?
I try not to, I speak for a living, and speaking about myself would only bore people.