Dubai/Islamabad – October 16, 2025 – PTCL Group, in collaboration with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), has announced the nationwide expansion of its flagship Ba-Ikhtiar initiative during GITEX Global 2025 in Dubai. The agreement was signed by Hatem Bamatraf, President and Group CEO of PTCL & Ufone 4G, and Nadir Gul Barech, CEO of PPAF, marking a major milestone in their shared mission to drive inclusive development and digital empowerment in Pakistan.
Originally launched as a pilot in Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Ba-Ikhtiar initiative empowered 100 underprivileged women entrepreneurs with digital and vocational skills. Following its success, the program will now scale to 23 flood-affected cities, aiming to upskill over 2,300 women with tools to enhance their livelihoods and achieve upward social mobility.
The initiative blends digital literacy, financial management, and hands-on training in trades such as stitching, pottery, handicrafts, food preservation, and organic cosmetics. By combining PTCL Group’s digital infrastructure with PPAF’s grassroots outreach, Ba-Ikhtiar connects women with the platforms and opportunities needed to transform skills into sustainable income.
“PTCL Group leverages its digital expertise to uplift underserved communities,” said Hatem Bamatraf. “Through our social impact platform ‘Dil Se’, we’ve touched thousands of lives. Ba-Ikhtiar stands out as a benchmark in sustainable empowerment, and we’re proud to extend it to more talented women across Pakistan.”
Nadir Gul Barech echoed the sentiment, stating, “This expansion marks a pivotal step in empowering women from vulnerable communities. Our partnership with PTCL Group merges social development with digital innovation, enabling women to achieve economic self-reliance and transform their communities.”
The Ba-Ikhtiar initiative reflects a shared vision of a digitally inclusive Pakistan—where women are equipped with knowledge, technology, and opportunity to lead change. As it scales nationwide, the program is set to bring thousands more into the fold of economic empowerment and long-term resilience.
