PTCL onboards IRM to deliver Ba-Ikhtiar's digital literacy component across 22 districts

Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), in partnership with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) and the Institute of Rural Management (IRM), is launching the digital literacy training segment of its Ba-Ikhtiar Program. This initiative will target 2,100 women across 22 districts where the program is already in operation. IRM, a renowned organization specializing in community development and capacity building, will be responsible for delivering the training.

Participants will acquire practical digital skills, including smartphone usage, digital literacy, online communication, internet safety, and access to essential digital services. PTCL will provide the necessary smartphones to ensure participants can continue their learning and apply their newly acquired skills beyond the training environment.

Amad Khan, Chief Marketing Officer at PTCL, emphasized that the empowerment of women lies in their ability to create opportunities for themselves. The Ba-Ikhtiar Program, a collaboration between PTCL, PPAF, and IRM, aims to provide women with the confidence to utilize technology in meaningful ways, such as accessing information, supporting their families, and exploring new economic opportunities.

Anwar Ul Haq, Senior Programme Manager at IRM, expressed IRM's gratitude for the collaboration with PPAF and PTCL. IRM considers the Ba-Ikhtiar Initiative a valuable model for inclusive skills development and women's economic empowerment in Pakistan. The organization strongly advocates for the continuation and scaling up of such initiatives to create more opportunities for women's economic empowerment.

By equipping women with technical competencies and digital capabilities, the Ba-Ikhtiar Initiative is paving the way for greater financial independence, sustainable livelihoods, and meaningful participation in both formal and digital economies. The launch of the digital literacy component underscores PTCL's commitment to advancing digital inclusion and women's empowerment through strategic partnerships that generate lasting social impact.