Talha Ahad Podcast

Join us this week as we sit down with Rabeel Warraich, Founder & CEO of Sarmayacar and one of the key investors and judges from the first season of Shark Tank Pakistan. In this conversation, he dives into the evolution of Pakistan’s tech ecosystem, discusses groundbreaking investments in companies like Airlift and Patari, and addresses the challenges of navigating payment gateways in a develop...

In this week’s episode, we are joined by Sidra Kiran, Communications Manager, and Hasan Ali Qureshi, Senior Business Development Specialist from InDrive   Pakistan. We discuss how InDrive is revolutionizing ride-hailing in Pakistan, its challenges, and how it’s working to make the platform safer and more reliable for drivers and passengers. We also find out how InDrive adapted to Pakistan’s unique...

In this week’s episode, we sit down to reflect on our recent trip to China, joined by Rana Hamza Saif, Asim Kamal, Haris Ali, and Maarij Farooq. Together, we share our insights on the remarkable experiences that shaped the journey – from witnessing China’s groundbreaking technology to observing the deep-rooted discipline in its youth. We also discuss what it means to represent Pakistan on an inter...

In this week’s exclusive episode, we are joined by Ehsan Saya, Managing Director at Daraz for a conversation on Pakistan's e-commerce sector, find out inspiring stories of resilience among Daraz sellers, Pakistan’s emerging Gen-Z talent, and the journey to overcome digital payment challenges. Ehsan shares Daraz’s vision of empowering small businesses and redefining e-commerce in Pakistan. Search ‘...

In this week’s exclusive episode, we are joined by Gen Tariq Rashid Khan, Hilalay Imtiaz (Military), (Retd) Pakistan Former Ambassdor for his first-ever candid conversation. We dive into a variety of critical topics, including the military’s involvement in Pakistan’s politics, the future of democracy in Pakistan, the military’s role in international diplomacy, and what the future holds for Pakista...

Can you rise above digital fame and create something that truly matters? Irfan Junejo shares his insights on cancel culture, self-loathing, and the challenges of staying authentic in the content creation world. We dive into his journey from creating food stories that celebrate the unsung heroes to aiming for a vlogging revolution that goes beyond pranks and fabricated content. Junejo also discusse...

Is the path of redemption always open? How do you take the first step on the journey to healing? For our 100th episode, entrepreneur and scholar Shaykh Atif Ahmed joins us for a deep conversation on faith, healing, and finding your way back to God. From a life of indulgence to a quest for spirituality, Shaykh Atif shares his personal journey of seeking redemption. We also delve into the role of re...

In this exclusive episode, I sat down with Simon Milner, Vice President of Public Policy for the APAC region at Meta. Simon shares his experiences from his recent visit to Pakistan—his second trip, where he talks about Meta's efforts to support a thriving digital economy and the role of effective policy-making in global tech governance. We also discuss the creator economy and the broader digit...

Can Islamic banking save Pakistan's crumbling finance sector? What is the way forward in this crippling economy? In this week's episode, our guest Jawad Majid Khan, President, CEO, and Director of Bank Makaramah Ltd, joins us to discuss Pakistan's banking sector, conventional vs Islamic banking, and Pakistan's financial future. We also talk about digitisation in the banking sector...

Where is Pakistan's advertising industry headed? What role will advertising marketplaces play in the future? Join us this week as we sit down with Syed Saad Hashmi, CEO and founder of AdStreet to discuss the state of Pakistan's advertising industry, its weaknesses, and the concept of advertising marketplaces. We also delve into the psychology behind advertising and explore the evolution of...

Is the real estate sector the only way out for Pakistan? Are most housing societies scamming people? Join us this week as we sit down with Sheikh Shujaullah Khan, the Chief Operating Officer of Etihad Town to discuss the rise and fall of Pakistan's real estate industry, modern housing societies, and the flaws of the 'file system.' We also talk about the economic recession, the safest i...

Are liberal arts the future? Is the Pakistani education system conducive to artists? Join us this week as we sit down with Zaeem Yaqoob Khan, Executive Director of Student Affairs and External Relations at Beaconhouse National University, to discuss education in the 21st century, the real meaning of liberal arts, and where this degree can take you. We also talk about the university system in Pakis...

Is the PTI government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa backed by the establishment? Who is really in power? In this week's episode, we sit down with Aimal Wali Khan, Central President of the Awami National Party, to discuss the lack of structure in policymaking and state institutions. Aimal Wali also makes some interesting revelations about independence, Imran Khan, and the future of the country. Search...

Does Parliament follow any decorum? How are bills passed? What is it like being a young parliamentarian? This week, our guest is Mubeen Arif Jutt, PTI's youngest parliamentarian. He joins us to discuss political and parliamentary affairs, the future of PTI, and the events of May 9th and their aftermath. Search ‘Talha Ahad Podcast' on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen to your...

Is Imran Khan's leadership style similar to Hitler's? Is the Establishment the cause of Pakistan's downfall? Which party was responsible for the assassination attempt on Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza? Join us as we sit down with Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza to discuss the true meaning of 'taghoot' and find answers to questions regarding women's rights in Islam. Search ‘Talha A...

Can a good CEO also be a good leader? What is the cost of pursuing dreams? In this week's episode, Yousaf Humayun Eashai, CEO of Touchstone Communications, joins us to explore these questions through his journey to the pinnacle of his career. He shares personal anecdotes and insights tailored for Gen-Z, discussing the evolving workplace dynamics and the essential keys to corporate success. You...

Is the class system prevalent in the public sector? Is our education system preparing the youth for the future? Our guest this week, Umer Riaz from the Police Services of Pakistan, joins us to give his two cents on these topics. We also discuss the policy crisis in Pakistan and the distortion of history. Umer also shares what he believes the future of Pakistan will look like over the next decade....

Did Pakistan have a role in the fall of Kabul? Is the TTP backed by the Afghan Taliban? Does America hold Pakistan accountable for its loss in Afghanistan? Our guest this week, Salman Javed, a Pak-Afghan affairs expert, joins us to answer all these questions and more. We discuss the decades leading up to the 2021 fall of Kabul and how it has impacted Pakistan. We also explore the future of Pak-Afg...

Has bureaucracy become irrelevant? Is there no redemption for Pakistan's civil services? Our guest this week, Tariq Mehmood Awan, a seasoned civil servant, joins us to discuss the highs and lows in the history of Pakistan's civil services. We discuss the political influence and other factors that have been rusting this state machinery and whether or not it can be recovered. Mr. Tariq also...

How critical is the role of PR? Do governments also need agencies to manage public relations, and how do political parties form narratives using PR? Our guest this week, Aneel Butt, a seasoned PR professional with over 10 years of experience working with various big names in the corporate world, joins us to discuss all of this and much more. We discuss the PR and advertising industry of Pakistan,...

This week's episode is about finding yourself amongst the chaos of the world around you. We are joined by Shehnaz Minallah happiness teacher at Soul Sanctuary and Mir Nasir, a serial tech entrepreneur and CEO of xLoop. We talk about dealing with grief, coming to terms with loss, and finding happiness in your soul. We also talk about meditation, wellness, and the importance of taking care of yo...

Are emerging markets supportive of new businesses? Does Gen-Z find accounting interesting? Our guest this week, Lucia Real-Martin, sits with us to discuss the evolution of accounting as a profession, and how ACCA involves Gen-Z in its planning process. We also discuss gender diversity, talent retention, and understanding the needs of developing countries, as well as the complexities of working in...

What is the future of bureaucracy in Pakistan? Was the past better than the future? We are joined by former secretary Tariq Mahmood this week for a conversation on the golden days of Pakistani bureaucracy and the events leading up to the fall of Dhaka. We discuss the unwarranted involvement of the establishment, the recent elections, and the future of democracy in Pakistan. We also discuss policym...

In this week's episode, we sat down with our guest, Umer Ghumman, Director and Country Head of Samsung Mobiles Pakistan to discuss the evolution of corporate culture and the different practices that set apart the Gen-Z workforce from the Millennial workforce. Additionally, we talk about the importance of corporate leadership and team building and how to make your mark in the tech industry. Uma...

"What can Pakistan do?" A question many have been asking, and one man tried to answer. In this week's episode, we sat down with Asad Umer, Pakistan's former finance minister, to discuss whether there's hope for Pakistan. We talk about the opportunities to improve diplomatic relations, solve public policy-related issues, and steps to stabilise the economy. Additionally, we dis...