PTCL Group, in collaboration with the Pakistan Poverty
Alleviation Fund (PPAF), hosted an inspiring event to celebrate the remarkable
achievements of women entrepreneurs empowered through the Ba-Ikhtiar Project under
Group’s Social Impact platform ‘Dil Se’. The initiative is fostering financial independence and
paving the way for sustainable growth of women entrepreneurs through building successful
e-commerce stores. PTCL Group is committed to empowering these women by supporting
them in registering their startup and providing mentorship until they can run their business
independently.
Additionally, the program's expansion to 20 districts under the Ba-Ikhtiar initiative aims to
transform communities across Pakistan. This expansion will broaden the project’s scope to
encompass diverse skill sets, including pottery, arts and crafts, food preservation, online
tutoring, organic cosmetics, and more.
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The event celebrated the resilience and determination of women entrepreneurs, who have
successfully turned challenges into opportunities. His Excellency, Hamad Obaid Ibrahim
Salem Alzaabi – Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Pakistan graced the event as
chief guest. Corporate partners, development sector organizations, and academia were
present at the event, along with prominent figures from the entertainment, fashion, sports,
and industry sectors. Esteemed personalities such as Kubra Khan, Hareem Farooq, Sana Mir,
Ali Xeeshan, and Naseem Hameed added a touch of glamour and prestige. Their support
further highlighted the event's significance, which was already brimming with inspiring
stories of transformation, growth, and success.
PTCL Group and PPAF Celebrate Empowerment and Success
The event also featured a thought-provoking panel discussion, bringing together renowned
personalities from diverse fields, including Sania Saeed, Jehan Ara, Azima Dhanji and Zarene
Asif, who shared key insights on global best practices in women empowerment, the role of
technology in solving societal challenges, and the strategies needed for women to
successfully navigate the entrepreneurial landscape.
The highlight of the day was Pakistan’s first-ever AI-powered fashion show, where the
women entrepreneurs showcased clothing designs created in collaboration with artificial
intelligence.
This innovative segment underscored the Ba-Ikhtiar Project’s commitment to leveraging
cutting-edge technology to drive social change, reflecting how creativity and technology can
unite to inspire new possibilities.
Speaking at the grand event, Hatem Bamatraf, President and Group CEO, PTCL & Ufone 4G,
emphasized on the program’s broader significance, stating: "The Ba-Ikhtiar Project is more
than just a program; it is a movement that empowers women to unlock their potential by
providing them with the necessary resources and skills to succeed. Today, we celebrate not
just their achievements but also the ripple effect of hope, resilience, and progress that they
bring to their families, communities, and society at large."
The CEO of PPAF, Nadir Gul Barech, further highlighted the critical role of partnerships:
"When organizations unite under a shared vision, the impact can be truly transformative.
Ba-Ikhtiar exemplifies how the private sector’s innovation and the development sector’s
community insights can converge to create meaningful and sustainable change. This is the
power of collaboration in action."
The event also spotlighted inspirational success stories, including two participants, who
represented Pakistan at Gitex Global 2024 in Dubai, one of the world’s largest tech events.
Ms. Mariam Hussain shared how the Ba-Ikhtiar Project enabled her to showcase the
entrepreneurial ventures on a global platform, demonstrating the transformative impact of
empowerment and opportunity.
The Ba-Ikhtiar Project continues to stand as a beacon of empowerment. Through this
initiative, participants have gained critical skills, including digital literacy, financial
management, business development, and e-commerce. These tools have enabled them to
build thriving businesses and fundamentally transform their lives.
The event reaffirmed the commitment of PTCL Group and PPAF, along with partners,
National Rural Support Program (NRSP), U Microfinance Bank (U Bank) and Daraz to
expanding the reach of the Ba-Ikhtiar Project, introducing additional skill-building initiatives,
and creating broader opportunities for women across Pakistan. Both organizations envision
a future where every woman has the tools, confidence, and support to thrive, fostering
resilience and enabling communities to flourish.
