After a lengthy day, only a talk show can give one some deserved relaxation. Or well, that’s what we Pakistanis believe. In a world where news bulletins are just a bunch of straight facts being thrown at us, these programmes offer an analytical look into the nation’s social, political and cultural landscape.
The human element brings attention to detail and gives an in-depth analysis of the issue at hand, attracting millions of viewers worldwide. So, let’s take a look at the top 10 Pakistani talk shows that play a valuable role in the media channels of today.
Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath
“Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath” is a Pakistani evening talk show that is broadcasted on GEO News from Monday to Friday from 10 pm onwards.
The show host, Shahzeb Khanzada, addresses current affairs and takes the opinions of different politicians and professionals along with his expert analysis.
The time duration of this talk show is usually 1 hour in which Shahzeb covers current affairs and gives the real picture of concerning matters. People love him due to his unbiased political reporting, composed communication and sharp wit. He even received the “best anchor person” reward in 2013.
Read More: How to Become a Filer in Pakistan? The National Duty of Every Citizen
The Capital Talk
This might just be the biggest Pakistani talk show of all time hosted by the renowned journalist Hamid Mir. Capital talk, airs four days a week (Monday to Thursday) at 8:00 pm on the GEO news. Pakistani journalism is incomplete with Hamid and his show. The show, which premiered in 2002, offers an in-depth look at the nation’s political turmoil and daily challenges. It is the oldest Pakistan talk show that is still successfully airing today.
The format includes a panel of renowned personalities who participate in a dialogue that contributes towards reaching feasible and practical solutions. Mir is a very influential and controversial journalist who remains relevant even today and is loved by many. He is the very reason Capital Talk continues to air even after 23 years.
Live With Nadeem Malik
This Pakistani Talk show broadcasts on Samaa News and is hosted by Nadeem Malik, the president of Samaa TV. This show covers current affairs and social issues like poverty, inflation and corruption which makes it very popular among the middle-class masses.
Nadeem Malik and his show are known for their unfiltered takes on the national complexities. In a time when media and journalism have gotten very biased to personal interests, people prefer shows like “Live with Nadeem Malik”, where they aren’t fed lies. The host was even awarded the Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) Award by the President of Pakistan for his services in journalism.
Duniya Kamran Khan k Sath
Duniya Kamran Khan k sath is hosted by the renowned investigative journalist and anchor person Kamran Khan. This programme was launched in 2015 on Duniya News. Kamran Khan once used to host “Aaj Kamran Khan k Sath” but later on the show started with a new name when Kamran Khan resigned from Geo News and joined Duniya News. This was a very good turning point for Dunya News as the show became one of the most watched and influential current affairs shows on Pakistan’s Dunya News TV channel.
In his show, Mr. Khan tries to untangle the twists and turns of Pakistani politics, social and economic issues and discusses it with different professionals. The show covers major national, regional and international stories through a combination of high-profile interviews, special reports, commentary and analysis. All of this with an unbiased agenda and impartial discussion.
Off the Record with Kashif Abbasi
Next in line is “Off the record with Kashif Abbasi.” Kashif Abbasi is a Punjabi Pakistani journalist and his show is telecasted on ARY news. In this show, Kashif Abbassi invites different politicians and analysts for a political debate on different issues. This show is one of the most-watched talk show on ARY News.
However, this shows that the career is no short of controversies. First, in January 2020, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) banned the broadcast of Abbasi’s program for 60 days. This was due to Faisal Vawda’s appearance on the show and putting a military boot on the table. Even in 2025, January 21st, Kashif Abbassi again had to apologise for his criticism of the government. Despite the controversial up and down, the audience of the show still prefers it above many others due to the journalist’s unbiased stance.
Muqabil with Haroon Ur Rasheed
Muqabil with Haroon Ur Rasheed airs on 92 News HD. The show is currently hosted by Sarwat Valim, as she takes the opinion of the senior journalist Haroon Rasheed on various political topics. This issue presents a clear and detailed discussion, helping the audience understand the complexities of national conflicts.
Hard Talk with Dr. Moeed Pirzada
This show is also telecasted on 92 News HD and is hosted by the senior journalist and former civil servant Dr. Moeed Pirzada. It is famous for discussing international relations and foreign policies and their impact on the decision-making of our economy. These topics aren’t touched by many and hence the viewers prefer it more when they want to get an insight on the diplomatic and international issues too.
The Reporters
This talk show is aired on ARY news and is hosted by journalist Sabir Shakir and Chaudhry Ghulam Hussain. They discuss the national and political developments with an informal and mutual tone. This allows room for relatability and lame-handed language that allows even the less educated individuals to understand them.
Nasim Zehra @8
Nasim Zehra @8 is telecasted on 24 News HD. This show is hosted by famous journalist Nasim Zehra. Her recent book “From Kargil to the Coup: Events that Shook Pakistan” became very popular among journalists and students of international relations. She usually conducts one-on-one interviews of government officials, foreign ambassadors and famous personalities.
Harfe Raaz with Orya Maqbool Jan
Harfe Raaz with Orya Maqbool Jan is telecasted on Neo News. The show is hosted by anchorperson Muhammad Usman. Former bureaucrat and veteran Journalist Orya Maqbool is an encyclopedia of knowledge. People like to get his valuable opinion on different national and international issues due to his intellect and experience in such topics.
While there are plenty of talk shows that exist in the Pakistan media industry today, the one’s listed above are some of the most watched.
So, which one of these do you prefer the most?
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for latest news and updates