HARIPUR – Haripur-born entrepreneur Ammad Ali has been working to expand awareness of digital careers and online business opportunities among young people, particularly those living in smaller cities where access to conventional employment opportunities can be limited.
Ali, who built his career in digital marketing and online business, is the founder of RankingGrow LLC, a Pakistan-based digital marketing and IT services company that has grown to a team of more than 100 professionals and serves clients in international markets.
His experience of working with global clients has also shaped his efforts to help students and young professionals develop skills relevant to the digital economy.
“Coming from Haripur, I understood early that location can become a limitation if people do not have access to the right opportunities,” Ali said. “The internet has changed that equation, but skills are still the key.”
According to figures provided by initiatives associated with his work, more than 12,000 students have received free training in areas including digital marketing, freelancing, online business, entrepreneurship and career development.
Ali has also participated in seminars, conferences, youth programmes and panel discussions at universities and educational institutions, where he has spoken about technology, freelancing, entrepreneurship and the changing nature of employment.
He said young people needed to develop practical skills instead of viewing freelancing simply as an easy source of income.
“People sometimes think that opening a freelancing account is enough,” he said. “It is not. You have to develop a skill, understand the client, communicate properly and consistently deliver quality work.”
Ali believes the need for practical training is particularly important for students in smaller cities, where access to professional networks, mentors and information about international markets may be limited.
Through training activities, he has sought to help young people understand digital marketing, customer acquisition, online platforms and the requirements of working with clients.
“The most satisfying part is not when someone attends a workshop,” he said. “It is when they come back later and tell you that they used the skill to get their first client or start earning.”
His experience of running RankingGrow has also influenced his approach to professional development. Ali said technical knowledge alone was not enough for people seeking careers in the digital economy, with communication, teamwork, problem-solving, meeting deadlines and understanding client requirements also important.
“Technology changes very quickly,” he said. “If you only learn one tool, you can become outdated. If you understand the skill behind the tool, you can continue learning.”
He also highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence in digital professions, saying young people should learn to use AI tools while continuing to develop their own knowledge and skills.
“Young people should not be afraid of AI, but they should not depend on it blindly either,” he said. “They need to understand how to use it to become more productive while continuing to build their own knowledge.”
Ali has received several awards, including the Pride of Pakistan Award, Pride of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Award, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Youth Excellence Award, Pride of Nation Award, High Achiever Award and Pride of Hazara Award. The recognitions have been associated with organisations including the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Directorate of Youth Affairs, Metrix Pakistan and the Commissioner Hazara.
Ali said recognition was less important than whether young people could turn training into sustainable economic opportunities.
“A young person does not need sympathy,” he said. “They need access to knowledge, an opportunity to practise and a market where they can use their ability.”
His career reflects the growing role of remote work and digital services in creating employment opportunities beyond Pakistan’s major urban centres. He said expanding access to digital skills could help young people in smaller cities participate more effectively in the emerging digital economy.
“The opportunity is much bigger than one company or one person,” Ali said. “If young people across the country acquire useful skills, the impact can go much further than the technology sector itself.”
