PTCL Group, in collaboration with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), has announced a significant expansion of its ‘Ba-Ikhtiyar’ initiative, aimed at empowering over 2,300 women. This development was unveiled in Dubai at GITEX Global 2025, marking a significant step in advancing digital empowerment and inclusive growth across Pakistan.
Initially designed to support 100 women entrepreneurs from underprivileged backgrounds in Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the program will now reach 23 flood-affected cities across the country. The expanded initiative will equip women with essential digital and entrepreneurial skills, enhancing their employment prospects and enabling them to play meaningful roles in their communities.
The ‘Ba-Ikhtiyar’ program provides comprehensive training in digital literacy, financial management, and practical skills such as sewing, pottery, and food preservation. By combining PTCL Group’s advanced digital infrastructure with PPAF’s extensive community network, participants are provided with the necessary tools and platforms to turn their skills into sustainable livelihoods. Hatem Bamatraf, President and Group CEO of PTCL and Ufone, emphasized the group’s commitment to social development, while Nadir Gul Barech, CEO of PPAF, highlighted the program’s role in linking social development with digital innovation.