Talha Ahad Podcast

What’s the real cost of chasing fame in Pakistan’s entertainment industry? Ainy Jaffri opens up about the unspoken realities of being an actor: the favoritism, the power lobbies, and the unregulated chaos of an industry where everyone’s replaceable. From Pakistan’s struggle to reach Netflix quality to why the West prefers Indian faces, she unpacks what truly shapes success, and what it costs. Sear...

When even experts from the World Bank and Oxford University are surprised by what Pakistan has already achieved in fintech, you know the script is changing. In this conversation, Noman Azhar, Chief Officer at Zindigi by JS Bank, breaks down how Pakistan quietly built one of the most advanced digital banking ecosystems in the region years before it became a buzzword elsewhere. From pioneering branc...

Is Punjab's crippling smog crisis an unbeatable problem, or is there a new high-tech strategy that could finally clear the air? In this critical episode, Talha Ahad sits down with Silwat Saeed, the Secretary of the Environment Protection & Climate Change Department (EP&CCD), Government of Punjab. As the driving force behind Punjab's new data-led approach, Secretary Saeed reveals th...

In this episode, I sat down with Shahzad Akbar, former advisor to Former Prime Minister Imran Khan and ex–Deputy Prosecutor of NAB. We discussed Pakistan’s political future, his years working closely with Imran Khan, and the question everyone keeps asking: Will Imran Khan ever be free again? A candid conversation about power, accountability, and what really happens behind closed doors in Pakistan’...

From political instability and digital neglect to short-term thinking and corporate complacency, Pakistan’s challenges run deep. In a rare and insightful conversation, Asad Umar, Ather Imran Nawaz, and Syed Ahmad break down why our institutions underperform, why the corporate sector failed to innovate, and how the IT industry lost decades of potential. Yet, amid the criticism lies hope, a belief t...

As thousands move abroad for stability, Aqib Hassan, Chief Commercial Officer at  Homes By One, chose to create opportunities in Pakistan. In this powerful conversation with Talha Ahad, he talks about belief when no one else believes, the courage to start from zero, and why he believes Pakistan’s future depends on those willing to fight for change. Through One Homes, Aqib is leading an effort to r...

From daily commutes to everyday independence, Yango isn’t just about rides; it’s about rethinking how people move, live, and connect. In this episode, Miral Sharif, Country Head of Yango Pakistan, sits down with Talha Ahad to unpack what it means to build technology that truly serves people, especially women finding freedom in their everyday choices. Search ‘Talha Ahad Podcast' on YouTube, Spo...

In this episode of The Talha Ahad Podcast UK Chapter, I sit down with Abdullah Afzal, best known as Amjad from Citizen Khan, to talk about identity, representation, and life beyond fame. We discuss his journey as a British Pakistani comedian, the realities of typecasting, and how comedy became his way to express faith, culture, and belonging. A candid and humorous conversation about breaking stere...

This episode takes you inside rural Punjab, where hope and awareness are rewriting the story of health and hygiene. From scarcity to sustainability, discover how behavior change became the spark for lasting progress Search ‘Talha Ahad Podcast' on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. #talhaahad #talhaahadpodcast #asadullah

Raheel Ahmed, Business Head at Shan Foods, shares the story behind biryani wars, brand philosophy, and building a Pakistani food legacy worldwide, all in one conversation. In this episode, discover how a local dream became an international success, staying true to its roots while redefining what it means to showcase Pakistani taste to the world. Search ‘Talha Ahad Podcast' on YouTube, Spotify,...

In this episode of our UK Chapter, I sat down with David Bickford, former MI5 and MI6 Legal Director, to explore the secret world of espionage. We talked about his journey into the world of intelligence, black ops, and what life inside Britain’s most secretive institutions really looks like. David also shared how he transitioned from government service to becoming an author and reflected on the hu...

When they uploaded their first Facebook posts 10 years ago, their families thought it was just a waste of time. Today,  Waleed Wakar, Arbaaz, and Urooj are professional creators who've got millions of views, helped launch restaurants, built communities, and changed lives through content. And they answered the question nobody else is asking: Is Facebook still the golden platform to start your c...

In our opening conversation for the much-awaited UK Chapter, I travelled to Scotland to sit down with Humza Yousaf, the country’s first Muslim First Minister. He reflects on navigating criticism for LGBTQ+ rights, balancing faith and identity under scrutiny, calls Gaza the world’s first “livestreamed genocide,” and grounds his journey in the Hadith: “Actions are judged by intention." Search ‘...

"Digital Pakistan” sounds futuristic, but what does it really mean? In this exclusive conversation, Shaza Fatima Khawaja from the Ministry of IT Telecom Pakistan explains how digitization isn’t about fancy tech; it’s about improving everyday lives. From FIRs at the police station to payments and citizen services, this episode unpacks how Pakistan could become a true digital nation. Search ‘Talha A...

Most Pakistanis get nervous when they hear FBR. But why? And how is technology changing the way taxes are collected? This episode clears myths, explains taxes in simple terms, and shows why paying taxes is not just a duty, it’s an investment in Pakistan’s future. Search ‘Talha Ahad Podcast' on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. #talhaahad #talhaahadpodcast #fbr...

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a content creator, or simply curious about Pakistan’s startup ecosystem, this episode is a must-watch. In this exclusive discussion, Junaid Iqbal (former MD of Careem Pakistan and Shark Tank Pakistan investor) reveals the challenges, failures, and hidden opportunities shaping the future of Pakistan’s business and tech landscape. From Careem’s journey in Pakistan to...

Karachi: A city where killing was a career. In this episode, Omar Shahid, a serving officer in the Police Service of Pakistan and a bestselling author, shares how MQM turf wars, Taliban infiltration, RAW’s spy networks, and target killers turned the city into a living war zone. Search ‘Talha Ahad Podcast' on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. #talhaahad #talhaah...

Energy, intuition, and the pain that brings you closer to God. In this roundtable, three spiritual practitioners talk about the unseen world, clairvoyant visions and energy reading. We also navigate heartbreak, trauma, and karmic cycles. Alizay, Tooba, and Hammad get candid about the loneliness of healers, the clients who come with black magic fears, and why true healing is rarely pretty. Search ‘...

"AIK", the first of its kind in Pakistan, is set to revolutionize the way we think about banking. But what does it mean? Is it a strategy? A promise? A secret code for success? In this episode, we asked Ashfaque Ahmed, Chief Officer of Aik by ‪Bank Islami‬, about it… and the answer might surprise you. Search ‘Talha Ahad Podcast' on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen to...

A former Chief of Naval Staff, a seasoned journalist, and a university student sit down on Talha's roundtable to reflect on a single, powerful question: What does independence truly mean in Pakistan? Then, now, and in the future. Different generations. Different views. But one question: Where is Pakistan headed? This is not your typical Independence Day conversation. Search ‘Talha Ahad Podcast...

What changes when someone who's spent years navigating Pakistan’s tech and startup chaos ends up at one of the world’s most powerful tech companies? In this episode, Saad Hamid joins us to talk about that shift, from hustle culture to high-performance environments, from chasing money to chasing meaning, and from building for survival to building with intention. We dive into the failures that t...

One year after his first appearance, Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza returns for an exclusive podcast. We spoke about what’s changed since then, the reaction to his previous episode, the evolving political landscape, his views on free speech, military narratives, and how public perception has shifted over time. This is a follow-up conversation that picks up right where we left off and answers a lot th...

Why do we wait for a breakdown to finally ask for help? In a culture that romanticises pain and shames softness, mental health becomes either aesthetic or alien. Dr Farah Qadir, Khayyam Sajid, and Nawal Ahmed talk about growing up without emotional language, being “functional” despite anxiety, and the irony of seeking validation in healing spaces. This roundtable is a deep dive into our desi disco...

Why did Sarwat Gilani walk away from TV dramas at the peak of her career? In this conversation, Sarwat opens up about her aristocratic roots, artistic childhood, and the code of ethics she carries into every room. From turning down regressive roles to calling out the hypocrisy of performative activism in entertainment, Sarwat takes us deep into the politics, power dynamics, and quiet courage it ta...

Maria Memon has been on your screen for nearly two decades, as a journalist, anchor, and one of the few female faces who held her ground in a polarising media landscape. But behind the screen presence is a story of constant evolution. In this episode, she opens up about her complicated love-hate relationship with the media industry. She talks about how growing up under societal pressure shaped her...