Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza Returns to the Podcast - Politics, Power & Perspective | Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza | Talha Ahad Podcast | Ep162
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 that was left unsaid.Search ‘Talha Ahad Podcast' on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen to your podcasts.#talhaahad #talhaahadpodcast #engineermuhammadalimirza
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Trauma, Therapy, and the Lie of “I’m Fine” | Dr Farah Qadir | Khayyam Sajid | Nawal Ahmed | Roundtable Podcast | Ep 12
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 discomfort with vulnerability, validation, and value.Search ‘Talha Ahad Podcast' on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen to your podcasts.#talhaahad #talhaahadpodcast #khayyamsajid #drfarahqadir
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What's Really Wrong With Pakistan's Entertainment Industry? | Sarwat Gilani | Talha Ahad Podcast | Ep161
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 takes to stand alone in an industry that doesn’t reward resistance. She also shares the story behind Churails, her rejection of Cake, and the friendships in the media industry. This episode is about values, voice, vision, and the cost of staying true to them all.Search ‘Talha Ahad Podcast' on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen to your podcasts.#talhaahad #talhaahadpodcast #sarwatgilani
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 smart talent is leaving Pakistan, and he can’t blame them?➡️ The missed opportunities in crypto, AI, and tech.➡️ Why governments that don’t understand information-era economies will keep failing their people?If you’ve ever wondered why it feels so hard to build something in Pakistan, this one’s for you.Search ‘Talha Ahad Podcast' on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen to your podcasts.#talhaahad #talhaahadpodcast #mubarizsiddiqui #carbonlaw
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Dealing With Hate, Trolls, and Pressure | Shehzad Ghias | Talha Ahad Podcast | Ep157
“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 you in jail, Shehzad asks what’s left when humour becomes a liability, and whether it’s even possible to do political comedy in a place where artists must choose between truth and survival.Search ‘Talha Ahad Podcast' on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen to your podcasts.#talhaahad #talhaahadpodcast #shehzadghias #thepakistanexperience
Welcome to Talha Ahad Podcast. It was journalism that brought me back to Islamabad from London in 2016. Over the last 6 years I have been privileged enough to meet with lots of interesting people from former PM Imran Khan, to Guantanamo Bay prisoners, to industry leaders, politicians, creatives and all kinds of people in between. The stories they shared off-screen were far more fascinating than the ones they told on screen.
I am Talha Ahad, an entrepreneur, journalist and documentary filmmaker. I am going on a journey to explore who people really are beyond the face they show to the world.
South Africa