Islamabad: PTCL Group, a leader in Pakistan’s telecommunications and ICT services, highlighted its successful women empowerment program, Ba-Ikhtiyar, at the Expand North Star event in Dubai, part of GITEX 2024. This event served as a significant platform for showcasing the achievements of the program’s participants and enhancing their global business opportunities.

According to Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited, Ba-Ikhtiyar’s standout entrepreneurs, Farhat ul Ain and Marrium Hussain, from Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, represented the initiative. Both women transitioned from local embroidery artists to tech-savvy entrepreneurs with PTCL Group’s support, gaining vital exposure and business insights at one of the world’s largest startup and investor gatherings.

The program, launched in collaboration with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund, equips female entrepreneurs with digital tools and skills to expand their businesses. Participants benefit from smartphones, digital training, including financial management courses from U Microfinance Bank, and platforms like UPaisa and Daraz to enhance their market reach.

Ba-Ikhtiyar has successfully graduated two batches of entrepreneurs, who utilize their new tools and skills to operate in the digital marketplace, significantly altering their socio-economic status. The program’s impact extends beyond individual success, fostering broader socio-economic benefits by promoting digital and financial inclusion among women in Pakistan.