Talha Ahad Podcast

What drives an overseas Pakistani to leave behind comfort and invest in the chaos? In this conversation, Chaudhry Ayaz, CEO of Panther Group USA, walks us through his raw and inspiring journey, starting from cleaning floors at gas stations to running a multimillion-dollar business in the US.But the real story is in what brought him back. Ayaz shares why the Pakistani diaspora still feels deeply co...

Behind every bite is a battle you don’t see. What keeps a food business alive in a city where loyalty is low, margins are thinner, and every other day, a new place opens? This roundtable brings together the minds behind Chattha’s, Wrap Lab, and Coffee Mistry. Find out what goes into the grind of keeping it all running with Waqar Chattha, Usman Shehzad, and Junaid Sandhu. Search ‘Talha Ahad Podcast...

Why can’t Pakistan fix its economy? In this episode of The Talha Ahad Podcast, leading economist Sakib Sherani unpacks the deep-rooted causes of Pakistan’s financial instability, from the illusion of GDP growth to the grip of elite capture, IMF dependency, hidden defaults, and why the system is built to benefit a few at the cost of many. We discuss: ➡️ Is Pakistan already in default? ➡️ How elite...

Is Pakistan’s digital space evolving, or are we just louder, not better? From viral content to cultural commentary, we’ve seen a boom in creators. But has the quality grown with the numbers? In this episode, we sit down with content creator Raza Samo to talk about:➡️ The rise of YouTube post-ban and Pakistan’s content explosion.➡️ Why satire and social commentary still matter?➡️ The crisis of iden...

Can Pakistan fix its economy, or are we stuck for good? For years, we’ve blamed governments, corruption, and inflation. But what if the real problems and solutions lie somewhere else? In this episode, we sit down with Khurram Schehzad, Advisor to the Ministry of Finance and former private sector executive, to discuss: ➡️ Why did he leave his business career to join the government? ➡️ The truth abo...

Step into the realities of Pakistan’s entertainment industry with Meher Jaffri, Rabya Kulsoom, Noreen Gulwani, and Anzela Abbasi as they unpack what it really means to be an actor in today’s TV landscape. From low pay and lack of royalties to toxic sets, censorship, and the absence of unions, this roundtable reveals the cost of staying creative in a system that often fails its talent. Search ‘Talh...

In this episode of the Talha Ahad Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Naveed Arshad, Director of the LUMS Energy Institute (LEI) and a leading expert in energy systems and sustainable technology. He breaks down Pakistan’s EV landscape, charging infrastructure, and the future of clean mobility. Key topics discussed: ✅ The state of EV adoption in Pakistan ✅ Home vs. Public Charging – What’s practical?...

With rising electricity costs and evolving government policies, is solar energy still a smart investment in Pakistan? In this episode, Shams Kapadia, CEO of  Cosmos Energies, breaks it down: ✅ Is solar still worth it? ROI, cost breakdown & long-term savings ✅ Government policies & net metering confusion – How they impact the solar market. ✅ Pakistan’s 2030 renewable energy targets – Are...

Join Hamza Bhatti‬, ‪Abdullah Maroof‬, and Noman Jaffar as they dive into the world of food content creation in this TAP Into Food Content Roundtable. From the obsession with food reels to the rivalry between Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore’s creator scenes, they break down what makes content go viral, the hustle behind influencer life, and why Ramadan is the ‘World Cup’ for bloggers. They get real...

Smuggling manipulated narratives, and hidden influences—Pakistan’s economy and public opinion are being shaped in ways most people don’t realise. In this episode, we sit down with Tariq Junaid, Executive Director of the Institute of Public Opinion Research (IPOR), to discuss; ➡️ The Business of Smuggling – How illegal trade, from tobacco to other goods, is costing Pakistan billions and evading tax...

How much oil & gas does Pakistan really have? For decades, we’ve heard stories of hidden reserves, energy independence, and booming potential, but what’s the reality? In this episode, we sit down with Habib Haider, Director, Corporate & Government Relations, Wafi Energy Pakistan Limited (Formerly Shell Pakistan Limited), & Nida Tanzeel, Social Performance Manager, Wafi Energy Pakistan...

They say food brings people together, but behind the scenes, it’s a war zone. Waqar Chattha exposes the harsh realities of Pakistan’s restaurant industry, including corrupt influencers, fake reviews, and customers who refuse to pay, all while struggling to survive in a collapsing economy. Search ‘Talha Ahad Podcast' on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. #talhaahad #...

Tap into the world of digital fame with Muhammad Kashan, Daniyal Sheikh, Azlan Shah and Mubeen Ul Haq as they share unfiltered insights on brand deals, creative struggles, and the evolution of Pakistan’s digital space. Search ‘Talha Ahad Podcast' on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. #talhaahad #talhaahadpodcast #daniyalsheikh #muhammadkashan #azlanshah #mubeenulhaq

Teen anxiety, social media pressure, and the silent struggles we don’t talk about. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Ambreen Ahmad, Child Psychiatrist, to discuss:➡️ How body image issues are affecting both boys and girls?➡️ Why childhood trauma never really leaves us?➡️ The rising stress levels among teenagers and young adults.➡️ How therapy actually works—and why it’s still misunderstood?➡️...

From selling bananas on the streets to building the world’s leading Islamic app, how did Zahid Hussain Chihpa turn struggle into success? In this episode, we sit down with the founder of Islam360 to discuss:➡️ The journey from hardship to innovation.➡️ How Islam360 became a global platform for Islamic knowledge?➡️ Why he refused commercial investments to keep the app free?➡️ The role of faith, per...

From commanding warships to transforming education, what happens when a Navy Chief turns to nation-building? In this episode, we sit down with Adm. (Retd.) Asif Sandila, Chairman of Moawin Foundation, to discuss:➡️ The reality of Pakistan’s rural education crisis. ➡️ Why fixing government schools is harder than you think ➡️ How AI and digital tools are changing the way children learn? ➡️ The chall...

Tap into the Creator Economy with Irfan Junejo, Kazi Akbar, and Momina Munir for a candid conversation on life, business, and the realities of surviving in Pakistan’s creative industry. Search ‘Talha Ahad Podcast' on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. #talhaahadpodcast #irfanjunejo #kaziakber #mominamunir

Easypaisa processes 9.5 trillion PKR in transactions a year, but behind the scenes, it’s a constant battle of scale, security, and innovation. With AI reshaping financial technology, where does digital banking go next? In this episode, we sit down with Mohammad Hasan Ayaz, CTO of Easypaisa Digital Bank, to discuss:➡️ The challenges of managing billions of transactions➡️ How AI is transforming digi...

What does it take to make it as an actor in Pakistan? From theater to television, Hajra Yamin has built her career on passion, persistence, and pushing boundaries. But in an industry where social media clout often outweighs talent, how do actors truly survive? In this episode, we sit down with Hajra Yamin to discuss:➡️ The struggles of breaking into the entertainment industry.➡️ Why theater is sti...

Is Pakistan's foreign policy failing on all fronts? In this episode, we sit down with Mustafa Hyder Sayed, Executive Director of the Pakistan-China Institute, to discuss: ➡️ Why Pakistan’s global standing is shrinking ➡️ How Afghanistan and India perceive us ➡️ The real reason behind Pakistan’s weak ties with China ➡️ Why political chaos is stopping our progress ➡️ How can Pakistan rebuild its...

Can we protect Pakistan’s glaciers before it’s too late? In this week’s episode, we are joined by Aisha Khan, CEO of CSCCC & MGPO, who has spent decades working on climate action and conservation. From trekking to K2 in 2000 to leading environmental initiatives, she shares how climate change is rapidly melting our glaciers and threatening our ecosystems. We discuss the urgency of climate actio...

With 50 million registered users and 1.5 crore active monthly transactions, Easypaisa is at the forefront of Pakistan’s fintech revolution. But what’s next? In this episode, I sat down with Farhan Hassan, Head of Wallet Business at Easypaisa Digital Bank, to break down Pakistan’s shift towards digital banking. We discuss why financial inclusion remains a challenge, how AI and biometrics are reshap...

Pakistan was losing 100 billion every year—just on tube wells in Balochistan. 💡To understand why—and to unpack Pakistan’s never-ending energy crisis—this week, I sat down with Awais Leghari, Federal Minister of Energy. We discuss why electricity remains expensive, why load shedding still exists, and what it will take to fix the system. From unchecked electricity theft to costly IPP contracts, and...

Is Pakistan ready for a fully digital banking revolution? In this episode, Shahzad Khan, Group Head of Corporate Business at Easypaisa Digital Bank, explores the rise of fintech, the evolution of digital banking, and the future of Pakistan’s financial sector. As traditional banks struggle to keep pace with digital transformation, the State Bank of Pakistan plays a crucial role in regulating fintec...

How does someone go from struggling to building a billion-dollar empire? In this episode, entrepreneur and author Zaffar Khan shares his journey from moving to Australia and working odd jobs to building a billion-dollar business empire. He talks about his failures, starting over, and turning a weekend taxi gig into Australia’s biggest taxi training centre. His story is one of resilience, risk-taki...