Islamabad : To celebrate International Women’s Day, Pakistan’s largest telecommunications and integrated ICT services provider, PTCL Group, has partnered with Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) and National Rural Support Program (NRSP) to empower 100 women entrepreneurs in Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This initiative is part of the “Ba-Ikhtiar” program, a year-long effort to bridge the digital divide and equip women with the essential tools and financial knowledge necessary to build sustainable businesses. Under ‘Ba-Ikhtiar’, PTCL Group distributed smartphones with pre-installed SIM cards, provided annual free data packs and facilitated the setup of UPaisa mobile wallets in partnership with U Microfinance Bank (UBank). In the second phase, the group will facilitate digital marketing and financial training to enable participants to unlock new opportunities online.
The “Ba-Ikhtiar” program recognizes the key role technical proficiency plays in business success and equips women entrepreneurs with the necessary knowledge and skills through comprehensive training in financial management and digital marketing. Through these trainings, PTCL Groups aims to empower women to navigate the digital landscape with confidence and promote their business online, leading to an expanded customer base.
Commenting on the initiative, Syed Atif Raza, Chief Marketing Officer, PTCL & Ufone 4G said, “At PTCL Group, we passionately believe that innovation is the cornerstone of social progress. Our vision goes beyond providing connectivity solutions. We are actively creating strategic partnerships such as those with PPAF, NRSP and UBank to invest in long-term development. The Ba-Ikhtiar program is an example of this commitment. We are deeply invested in empowering women entrepreneurs by equipping them with the tools and resources they need to thrive. By supporting their success, the group directly contributes to the overall social and economic well-being of Pakistan.
Highlighting the need to empower young women, especially those who belong to marginalized areas, PPAF CEO Nadir Gul Barech said, “Embracing digital technologies is essential for women to open up a world of opportunities and foster their personal and professional growth. By providing digital literacy training to budding women entrepreneurs in Haripur, PPAF is playing a key role in enhancing their marketing skills and expanding their businesses on digital platforms, thereby fueling a movement towards greater inclusivity and prosperity.
By implementing these strategic initiatives, PTCL Group positions itself as a catalyst for economic empowerment of women and promotes a fairer and more prosperous future for Pakistan.
