PTCL Group, in collaboration with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), has announced the expansion of its flagship women empowerment initiative, Ba-Ikhtiar, during GITEX Global 2025 in Dubai. The announcement marks an important milestone in PTCL Group’s ongoing commitment to inclusive development and digital empowerment. The agreement was formally signed between Hatem Bamatraf, President and Group CEO of PTCL & Ufone 4G, and Nadir Gul Barech, CEO of PPAF. The initiative continues to strengthen both organizations’ efforts to drive digital inclusion and social progress across Pakistan, focusing on equipping women with the necessary skills to become financially independent and socially empowered.
Initially piloted in Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ba-Ikhtiar was designed to support 100 underprivileged women entrepreneurs through training programs in digital literacy, financial management, and vocational skills. Following the success of the pilot phase, PTCL Group and PPAF are now expanding the program to 23 flood-affected cities across Pakistan. The extended initiative aims to up-skill more than 2,300 women by equipping them with practical and digital capabilities that can help them build sustainable livelihoods. Participants will receive training in diverse trades such as stitching, handicrafts, pottery, food preservation, and organic cosmetics, enabling them to create viable income sources for themselves and their families.
The Ba-Ikhtiar program combines the digital infrastructure and technological expertise of PTCL Group with PPAF’s extensive community outreach network. This collaboration ensures that participants not only receive skills training but also gain access to digital tools and online platforms that can connect them to markets and buyers. By leveraging technology, the program bridges the gap between traditional craftsmanship and modern entrepreneurial opportunities, empowering women to transform their skills into sustainable income streams. The initiative also underscores PTCL Group’s broader social impact platform, ‘Dil Se’, which aims to enhance the well-being of underprivileged communities through programs centered on education, digital access, and skill development.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Hatem Bamatraf said that PTCL Group is committed to leveraging its digital expertise and nationwide network to improve the quality of life in underserved communities. He added that through the company’s social initiatives, thousands of lives have been positively impacted, and Ba-Ikhtiar stands out as a flagship program setting new standards for sustainable social empowerment. CEO PPAF, Nadir Gul Barech, emphasized that the expansion of Ba-Ikhtiar represents an important milestone in promoting economic self-reliance for women in vulnerable communities. He highlighted that this collaboration integrates social development with digital innovation, creating pathways for women to participate in the digital economy while contributing to community-level transformation.
The expansion of Ba-Ikhtiar reflects a shared vision of fostering a digitally inclusive Pakistan where women are empowered through knowledge, technology, and opportunity. By combining digital education, entrepreneurship, and connectivity, PTCL Group and PPAF are enabling more women to participate actively in economic growth and social development. As the initiative extends its reach, thousands of women across Pakistan are expected to benefit, paving the way for greater financial independence and community resilience.
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