Is journalism still journalism when it’s bought and sold? Behind the glitz of primetime lies a broken system: unpaid staff, Syed Talat Hussain collapsing newsrooms, and journalists struggling to survive. gives a raw, insider look into the structural collapse of Pakistan’s media landscape. We talk about financial insecurity, political interference, and why truth-telling has become a luxury. Search ‘Talha Ahad Podcast' on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. #talhaah...
Jul 10, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 159
Why are Pakistan’s most promising founders giving up and moving out? This week, we sit down with Mubariz Siddiqui, founder of Carbon Law and legal advisor to some of Pakistan’s biggest startups, to discuss the country's broken startup ecosystem. From regulatory loopholes and crypto bans to policy failures and the brain drain, Mubariz shares the inside view on how the startup wave rose after 2016, and why it’s crashing hard now. He talks about: ➡️ The flawed obsession with "hustle culture" ➡️ Why...
Jul 08, 2025•46 min•Ep. 158
“Do I love Pakistan enough to die for it? No.” Shehzad Ghias has been called everything: traitor, atheist, sellout, hero. In this week’s episode, the host of The Pakistan Experience joins us to talk about the mental toll of cancel culture, the loneliness behind viral fame, and why he’s no longer sure if it’s safe to live or speak freely in Pakistan. He opens up about public backlash, blasphemy accusations, and the terrifying reality of being targeted online. In a country where jokes can land y...
Jul 04, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 157
Fame, ego, and the grind behind the camera. What really goes into making it as a creator in Pakistan, and why it’s harder than it looks. In this episode, Irfan Junejo and Kazi Akber get honest about gatekeeping, mainstream egos, chasing perfection, and surviving a world where numbers matter more than craft. From awkward encounters with celebrities to finding meaning in a noisy digital space, this conversation goes where most don’t. Search ‘Talha Ahad Podcast' on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you...
Jun 30, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 10
What does it take to build an empire when no one gives you a roadmap? In this episode, Sultana Siddiqui, the force behind HUM, talks about starting from scratch, fighting nepotism, and carving out space for women when the industry refused to make room. From working in a garage to launching one of South Asia’s biggest entertainment channels, she reflects on loss, resilience, and why teaching the next generation is her biggest mission. We also explore the state of Pakistani media, its obsession w...
Jun 27, 2025•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 156
What if the biggest battles weren’t fought with guns, but with whispers? In this episode of the Talha Ahad Podcast, Ali K. Chishti, counter-terrorism expert and author, takes us into the unseen corridors of intelligence. From the tangled roots of Al‑Qaeda and the Taliban, to the covert games of RAW and ISI, Ali exposes how espionage shapes borders, politics, and perceptions. If you’ve ever wondered how intelligence, terror, and statecraft collide, this is the episode you can’t miss. Disclaimer: ...
Jun 24, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 155
More than fame, Saad Hashmani wants to be understood. In this week’s podcast, the Pakistani-American businessman opens up about the illness that changed his life, the trap of online fame, and why he walks out of award shows but shows up at funerals. We talk power, ego, influencer silence on Palestine, and how Pakistan is losing the war of narratives to India. Saad breaks down toxic motivation culture, the politics of money, and what he’d do as a “dictator” to fix the youth. He weighs in on the e...
Jun 20, 2025•1 hr 50 min•Ep. 154
What’s it really like growing up as a Black or African-identifying person in Pakistan? In this episode of TAP Into, content creator Abdullah Maroof , entrepreneur and talent strategist Abiola, and social media influencer Nawafil aka Fils unpack what most people are too awkward to even ask. From microaggressions in schools to double takes in taxis, and how they’ve carved out space in a culture that wasn’t built with them in mind. If you think racism “isn’t really a thing here,” this one’s a must-...
Jun 18, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 9
What if Pakistan’s climate crisis isn’t just about emissions, but about the flawed data we’re submitting to the world? In this episode, Dr. Fahad Saeed, Senior Climate Scientist, breaks down the alarming gaps in Pakistan’s official climate strategy, from typos in United Nations reports to calling Quetta our hottest zone. We unpack how bad research, clueless foreign consultants, and a broken knowledge system are shaping policies that miss the mark. We talk institutional failure, climate justice, ...
Jun 13, 2025•41 min•Ep. 153
Electricity in Pakistan is more than just power generation—it’s a complex web of regulation, taxation, and infrastructure. Muhammad Aamir Ghaziani, Chief Financial Officer at KElectric , joins us to unpack the Multi-Year Tariff framework, the role of NEPRA, and why nearly 40% of your bill isn’t even electricity. If you've ever looked at your bill and wondered, “Why am I paying so much?”, this one's for you. Search ‘Talha Ahad Podcast' on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen to your p...
Jun 08, 2025•40 min•Ep. 152
What does self-worth have to do with development? Everything, says Mohamed Yahya, UN Resident & Humanitarian Coordinator in Pakistan. In this episode, we explore the invisible roots of gender inequality, the silent complicity of society, and why men must be part of the solution. Yahya unpacks what real inclusion looks like, why storytelling is a development tool, and how optimism might just be Pakistan’s most underrated resource. Search ‘Talha Ahad Podcast' on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever y...
Jun 05, 2025•2 min•Ep. 151
How did we go from concert mania to algorithm music? Why did bands break up? Why do solo acts thrive today? And did Coke Studio save or centralise the scene? Pakistan had a band culture. It had chaos, fanbases, and a sound of its own. Then everything changed.Join Bilal Ali (Lead Vocalist, Kashmir Band), Zohaib Kazi (Producer), and Saad Music (Music Producer) as they trace the fall and fight of an entire generation of music. Search ‘Talha Ahad Podcast' on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you like to...
Jun 05, 2025•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 8
He didn’t go to Oxbridge. He didn’t have a fancy visa. What he had was grit, rejection emails, and an obsession with figuring it out. In this roundtable episode, Mekaeel Malik, Co-founder of Carbon Track, shares how he hacked his way into a hedge fund internship in the UK, what the job market doesn't tell you, and why he’s now building systems to help Pakistanis win abroad. We talk strategy, survival, and what it takes to turn the odds and then help others do the same.If you’ve ever doubted whet...
Jun 01, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 150
Wall Street dream? Shattered. TV channel? Shut down. Business? Rebuilt from scratch. In this week's episode, Faizan Sadi Syed, Founder of East River, shares his journey from Wall Street to building one of the most agile creative agencies in the region. This episode dives into the future of advertising, the broken agency model, creators driven by ego, and how AI is reshaping the game. This conversation is a deep, real-world look into what it takes to scale across borders. Search ‘Talha Ahad Podca...
May 24, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 149
Tobacco has been part of human history for millennia, but what if science could rewrite its future? In this episode, Dr. James Murphy, Director of Research & Science at British American Tobacco, walks us through the data, debates, and decisions behind BAT’s global shift from cigarettes to safer, smokeless alternatives. We talk about nicotine, regulation, Pakistan’s strategic role, and whether the world is truly ready to say goodbye to cigarettes for good Search ‘Talha Ahad Podcast' on YouTub...
May 22, 2025•41 min•Ep. 148
Money, meaning, and messy relationships. What happens when Gen Z’s emotional intensity meets Millennial realism? In this roundtable, Usman Asif, Founder and CEO of Devsinc, Usra Murtaza, Community Builder at Minerva, and Esha Kirmani, Author, Entrepreneur, and NLP Coach, dive deep into money, healing, ego, identity, and what it really takes to live well in a world that’s burning out fast. Search ‘Talha Ahad Podcast' on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. #talhaah...
May 19, 2025•2 hr 2 min•Ep. 7
Behind every container at Pakistan’s border is a system you never see and a story you’ve never heard. In this episode, Syed Aftab Haider, CEO of Pakistan Single Window, unpacks the hard truths behind smuggling, broken coordination, and resistance to reform. From digital customs to a future where import/export happens at your fingertips, this isn’t just about paperwork; it’s about power, politics, and Pakistan’s place in the global economy. Search ‘Talha Ahad Podcast' on YouTube, Spotify, or wher...
May 17, 2025•41 min•Ep. 147
What does it really take to build wealth in Pakistan? In this episode, Abdul Rehman Najam, Founder & CEO of ARN Financials, shares his story, from his early fascination with mental maths, working shifts at Pizza Hut in the UK, to becoming one of Pakistan’s leading advocates for long-term stock investing. He talks about overcoming the fear of investing, the misconceptions around real estate, and why most people never build wealth, not because of a lack of money, but because of the wrong minds...
May 17, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 146
False flag operations, media warfare, and deepening internal rifts, former Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar takes us inside the battles Pakistan is fighting today: on its borders, within its institutions, and across the national imagination. As global attention stays fixated on Gaza, a new geopolitical standoff may already be brewing across Kashmir and Balochistan. Add to that the uncertain but looming return of Imran Khan, and what you have is a perfect storm of history, politics, a...
May 11, 2025•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 145
Is now the right time to invest in Pakistan’s real estate? Naeem Abbas Warraich, Director Sales & Marketing at Park View City, says yes and explains why. From boom-bust cycles to visionary planning, here’s what you need to know before investing your life savings. Search ‘Talha Ahad Podcast' on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. #talhaahad #talhaahadpodcast #naeemwarraich #parkviewcity
May 10, 2025•38 min•Ep. 144
What if someone could see through your energy, your emotions, your soul before you even spoke? Alizay Rahman can. A clairvoyant, energy reader, and life coach, she joins us for a conversation on spirit realms, childhood visions, and the burden of knowing too much. From the trauma of being misunderstood to the thrill of spiritual connection, this episode isn’t just a story; it’s a shift in consciousness. Stay till the end. You may never look at the world the same way again. Search ‘Talha Ahad Pod...
May 07, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 143
What does it really mean to lead in 2025, and are we ready for what leadership now demands? Helen Brand has led ACCA as its Global CEO for over 16 years. Ayla Majid, the first Pakistani and South Asian to serve as Global President, brings bold energy and governance experience to the table. Together, they explore how leadership must evolve from hierarchical models to collaborative, multigenerational teams. This episode dives into the personal, professional, and planetary responsibilities that com...
May 07, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 6
After battling depression and insomnia, Naveed Kiani didn’t just recover, he transformed. Now a certified Life Coach and Hypnotherapist in Australia, he shares how hypnotherapy helped him reconnect with himself and find purpose.In this episode, we unpack what hypnosis really is (and isn’t), how the subconscious holds our deepest patterns, and why true healing begins with letting go of what no longer serves us. Naveed also talks about the stigma around therapy, the impact of childhood beliefs, an...
May 02, 2025•37 min•Ep. 142
What happens when faith, fitness, and mental health collide? In this episode, Dr. Waseem Ullah Shaheen shares his journey from anxiety and physical transformation to discovering the teachings of Wasif Ali Wasif. We talk about grief, spiritual growth, Gen Z, Tasawwuf, self-love, and why emotional healing matters just as much as physical health. If you’re overwhelmed, seeking clarity, or just starting your journey, this one's for you. Search ‘Talha Ahad Podcast' on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever yo...
Apr 26, 2025•59 min
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 connected to the country, how business mindsets differ between the US and Pakistan, and why he believe...
Apr 23, 2025•35 min•Ep. 140
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' on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. #talhaahad #talhaahadpodcast...
Apr 19, 2025•59 min•Ep. 5
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 politics is strangling reform? ➡️ The smuggling economy and under-taxed sectors. ➡️ What does the de...
Apr 16, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 139
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 identity in Gen Z audiences.➡️ What creators really need to break through in 2025?➡️ Why money, fame, and ...
Apr 12, 2025•50 min
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 about inflation, tax reforms, and interest rates. ➡️ What’s actually working inside the system and what...
Apr 09, 2025•49 min
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 ‘Talha Ahad Podcast' on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. #talhaahad #ta...
Apr 04, 2025•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 4
