Pakistan’s leading telecommunications and ICT provider, PTCL Group (PTCL and Ufone 4G) showcased its transformative Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, BaIkhtiar, at Expand North Star – the world’s largest startup and investor connector event, held as a part of GITEX 2024 in Dubai. The event provided a platform to highlight the success of BaIkhtiar participants while promoting the initiative globally.
Two outstanding women entrepreneurs of the BaIkhtiar program, Farhat ul Ain and Marrium Hussain, represented the program at the event. These skilled individuals, who began as local embroidery artists in the humble suburbs of Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), have transformed into techenabled entrepreneurs through the training and support provided by BaIkhtiar program. PTCL and Ufone 4G selected them for the event to help them gain invaluable exposure and explore new business opportunities at one of the most important business and tech platforms in the world.
Marrium and Farhat showcased their eyecatching embroidery products at the Pakistan Enclosure, where they also engaged with international visitors, shared their inspiring success story and received recognition for their incredible journeys. Their participation in Expand North Star reflects PTCL Group’s continued support for the program’s graduates, which is essential for the sustainability of their enterprises.
Speaking about their experience, Marrium Hussain said, ‘I am deeply grateful to PTCL Group for providing us with this opportunity. The experience of being a part of such an important global platform has been lifechanging and we look forward to newer avenues of growth for our enterprises. We met different people, gained exposure, and received appreciation for our work, encouraging us to dream bigger.’
BaIkhtiar is a women empowerment initiative launched by PTCL Group in collaboration with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF). It aims to equip smallscale female entrepreneurs with essential digital tools and skills to grow their enterprises.
Participants receive smartphones with preloaded SIM cards from PTCL Group. They also receive handson training in digital skills, including using UPaisa mobile wallets and managing seller accounts on the ecommerce platform Daraz. The 15day workshop enhances their artisan skills and imparts digital marketing techniques to help them expand their market to the global online space.
The program also includes financial management training from U Microfinance Bank, empowering participants to manage their business finances efficiently. PTCL and Ufone 4G provided them with handsets and mobile connectivity to cover their data and voice needs.
So far two batches of women entrepreneurs have graduated from the BaIkhtiar Program, who now use their smartphones and free data to sell products through Daraz, receive payments via UPaisa, and dispatch orders through courier services. Their success stories inspire other women to pursue digital entrepreneurship to transform their socioeconomic condition.
Sharing his thoughts, Hatem Bamatraf, President and Group CEO, PTCL and Ufone 4G said, ‘BaIkhtiar program mirrors our commitment to fostering digital inclusion and leveraging our digital resources to empower underserved social segments. The initiative enables women to become financially independent and facilitates their participation in Pakistan’s growing digital economy.
It lays a strong foundation for a sustainable future by ensuring that women play an active role in improving the country’s socioeconomic progress. I am immensely proud of these young entrepreneurs, who has shown resilience and commitment to be the future business leaders.’
The PTCL Group exhibit was a key feature of the Pakistan enclosure at Expand North Star. It received immense footfall, with Marrium and Farhat’s story of their evolution from local artisans to digital entrepreneurs on the back of digital and financial technology inspiring profuse commendation. E