Pakistan’s PTCL Group (PTCL & Ufone 4G) proudly showcased two exceptional women entrepreneurs, Farhat ul Ain and Marrium Hussain, from the Ba-Ikhtiar program at Expand North Star. These talented individuals, who began as local embroidery artists in the modest suburbs of Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Province, have transformed into tech-enabled entrepreneurs through the training and support provided by the Ba-Ikhtiar initiative.
Selected by the PTCL Group for their potential, Marrium and Farhat attended the event to gain invaluable exposure and explore new business opportunities at one of the world’s premier business and technology platforms. They showcased their stunning embroidery products at the Pakistan Enclosure, engaging with international visitors and sharing their inspiring success stories, receiving recognition for their remarkable journeys.
Reflecting on her experience, Marrium Hussain stated, “I am deeply grateful to PTCL Group for providing us with this opportunity. Being part of such an important global platform has been life-changing, and we look forward to new avenues of growth for our enterprises. We met different people, gained exposure, and received appreciation for our work, encouraging us to dream bigger.”
The Ba-Ikhtiar program is a women empowerment initiative launched by PTCL Group in collaboration with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF). Its goal is to equip small-scale female entrepreneurs with essential digital tools and skills to help grow their businesses. Participants receive smartphones with pre-loaded SIM cards from PTCL Group, along with hands-on training in digital skills, including using UPaisa mobile wallets and managing seller accounts on the e-commerce platform Daraz. The 15-day workshop enhances their artisan skills and teaches digital marketing techniques, enabling them to reach global online markets.
Additionally, the program offers financial management training from U Microfinance Bank, empowering participants to manage their business finances effectively. PTCL & Ufone 4G also provides handsets and mobile connectivity to cover their data and voice needs.
To date, two batches of women entrepreneurs have graduated from the Ba-Ikhtiar Program, successfully utilizing their smartphones and free data to sell products through Daraz, receive payments via UPaisa, and dispatch orders through courier services. Their success stories serve as inspiration for other women to pursue digital entrepreneurship and transform their socio-economic conditions.
Hatem Bamatraf, President and Group CEO of PTCL & Ufone 4G, remarked, “The Ba-Ikhtiar program reflects our commitment to fostering digital inclusion and leveraging our resources to empower underserved social segments. This 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 women play an active role in improving the country’s socio-economic progress. I am immensely proud of these young entrepreneurs, who have shown resilience and commitment to becoming the future business leaders.”
The PTCL Group exhibit was a highlight at the Pakistan enclosure during Expand North Star, drawing significant attention as Marrium and Farhat’s stories of transformation from local artisans to digital entrepreneurs inspired widespread admiration.
