Pakistan’s leading telecommunications and ICT provider, PTCL Group (PTCL &Ufone 4G) showcased its transformative Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, Ba-Ikhtiar, 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 Ba-Ikhtiar participants while promoting the initiative globally.
Two outstanding women entrepreneurs of the Ba-Ikhtiar 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 tech-enabled entrepreneurs through the training and support provided by Ba-Ikhtiar program.
PTCL & 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 eye-catching 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 life-changing 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.”
Ba-Ikhtiar is a women empowerment initiative launched by PTCL Group in collaboration with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF). It aims to equip small-scale female entrepreneurs with essential digital tools and skills to grow their enterprises.
Participants receive smartphones with pre-loaded SIM cards from PTCL Group.
