How PTCL’s Tech for Inclusion Initiative, Ba-Ikhtiar is Opening New Possibilities for Women
The models walked the runway. The clothes looked real. The designs were intricate, colourful and distinctly Pakistani, but there was … Read More The post How PTCL’s Tech for Inclusion Initiative, Ba-Ikhtiar is Opening New Possibilities for Women appeared first on ProPakistani .
PTCL’s “Tech for Inclusion” initiative, Ba-Ikhtiar, has opened up fresh prospects for women by merging traditional craftsmanship with artificial intelligence. Last year, Islamabad hosted Pakistan's inaugural AI-powered fashion show, where garments designed by women entrepreneurs from underserved communities were displayed on AI-generated models. The event united the worlds of traditional crafts and technology, presenting a striking contrast between reality and digital creation.
Ba-Ikhtiar is PTCL's program aimed at enabling women to build careers through technology, skills, and market access. The initiative began in Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with 100 women who already possessed sewing and embroidery skills but faced challenges in accessing markets and economic opportunities. PTCL collaborated with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) to bridge this gap by integrating vocational training with digital literacy, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and online market access.
This shift enabled the women to leverage their skills beyond local markets. They explored e-commerce, developed businesses around their crafts, and presented their work at major events like GITEX Global in Dubai and Lok Mela, amplifying their talents beyond Haripur. The program has since broadened beyond stitching and embroidery, incorporating pottery, handicrafts, food preservation, online tutoring, and organic cosmetics. Geographically, Phase II of Ba-Ikhtiar expanded to 22 districts, targeting 2,100 women.
PTCL views this initiative as part of its broader mission to leverage technology to foster an inclusive digital economy. Connectivity connects people, but technology enables deeper connections to knowledge, markets, financial services, and opportunities. Ba-Ikhtiar embodies PTCL's vision of utilizing its technological and connectivity resources to empower women as entrepreneurs, creators, and active participants in the digital economy.
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