DERA ISMAIL KHAN: More than 300 women participated in what organisers described as Dera Ismail Khan’s first women-focused food and beverage competition, showcasing homemade products and exploring opportunities for entrepreneurship and income generation.
The event, organised by Faizna Green Bites (SMC-Private) Limited at Diwan-e-Khas Marquee on Mausamiyat Road, brought together 310 women in 31 teams. The competition also served as an introduction to a proposed business network aimed at connecting women home producers with commercial opportunities.
Each team comprised 10 participants, while approximately 60 volunteer team leaders assisted with coordination and event management.
Presidential Award recipient DSP City Circle Hafiz Muhammad Adnan attended as chief guest. Other guests included Professor Dr Sadaf Javeria, Director of the Institute of Food Science and Nutrition at Gomal University, representatives of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety and Halal Food Authority, and DSP Alamgir Khan.
Participants judged on food quality and safety
The contestants presented a variety of homemade food items and beverages, which were assessed on taste, hygiene and safe preparation, cost, consistency and presentation.
Professor Dr Sadaf Javeria supervised the evaluation process. The judging panel included Bella Kundi, Principal of the Vocational Training College; Saira Bukhari, Assistant Director Social Welfare and Women Development; Sawera Naeem; Amara from the Food Authority; senior teacher Gul-e-Rana; and student Arwa Noor.
According to the organisers, 20 women secured places across the top 10 rankings, with two participants recognised at each position. Six women occupied the first three positions, while another 14 were recognised in positions four through ten.
Faizna Green Bites Chief Executive Muhammad Ijaz Awan distributed certificates among successful contestants and other participants alongside his father Muhammad Riaz, DSP Hafiz Muhammad Adnan, DSP Alamgir Khan and Professor Dr Sadaf Javeria.
Company outlines plans for women-led home businesses
Addressing the gathering, Muhammad Ijaz Awan announced that Faizna Green Bites was scheduled for a formal launch in February 2027.
He said the company planned to bring 8,000 women into its proposed Faizna SMEs Network as home-based producers, with a projected potential to create more than 24,000 employment opportunities.
These figures represent the company’s future targets rather than jobs already created.
Awan also announced plans to organise two additional food and beverage competitions in November and December before the official launch.
Under the proposed business model, participating women would prepare individual food or beverage products in verified home kitchens, allowing households to function as small production units.
The company said women would not be required to pay participation fees or obtain loans to join the programme. Payments for their work would be deposited into bank accounts held in their own names.
Awan said the initiative was intended to reduce financial barriers to entrepreneurship and provide women with opportunities to earn an income while working from home.
He described the model as an effort to strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises, encourage local production and support economic participation among women who face limited employment opportunities.
Organisers link initiative to broader development goals
The Faizna Green Bites chief executive said the programme could help communities overcome economic and social difficulties by encouraging entrepreneurship, building confidence and creating local role models.
He expressed hope that the initiative would eventually become a practical model for women-led enterprise development across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Several participants welcomed the competition, describing it as an opportunity to demonstrate their skills and gain recognition for work traditionally carried out within households.
Organisers also said the proposed network was designed to contribute to seven United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including poverty reduction, food security, gender equality, decent work, reduced inequalities, strong institutions and partnerships.
They identified areas of alignment with the development priorities of organisations including UN Women, UNDP, ILO, FAO, WFP, UNIDO, IFAD, ITC, UNFPA and UNICEF.
However, the organisers did not announce any formal partnership or endorsement from these United Nations agencies.
Organisers acknowledge institutional encouragement
During the ceremony, Awan thanked Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir Ahmad Shah, the office of the Commander XI Corps in Peshawar, the office of the General Officer Commanding 40 Division in Dera Ismail Khan and the Deputy Commissioner’s Office for what he described as moral support and encouragement.
He also acknowledged the chief guest, police officials, judges, volunteer team leaders and participating women for their contributions to the event.
Awan said the Regional Police Officer Dera Range and the District Police Officer Dera Ismail Khan had been invited but were unable to attend because of official commitments.
The organisers described the competition as an initial step towards developing a network of women-led home businesses that could produce and market locally prepared food and beverages.
The planned February 2027 launch will mark the next stage of the initiative, with its employment targets dependent on the successful establishment and operation of the proposed production network.