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KARACHI, August 17, 2026: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), in collaboration with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), has launched the digital literacy training component of its Ba-Ikhtiar Program across 22 districts where the initiative is currently active.
The training will be delivered by the Institute of Rural Management (IRM), a leading organisation specialising in community development and capacity building. IRM will equip 2,100 women with practical digital skills and tools to participate more confidently in the digital economy.
Participants will receive hands-on training in smartphone usage, digital literacy, online communication, internet safety and access to essential digital services.
PTCL will also provide smartphones to participating women, enabling them to continue practising their skills and applying their digital knowledge beyond the training environment.
Speaking on the occasion, Amad Khan, Chief Marketing Officer, PTCL, said that true empowerment means having the ability to create opportunities for oneself. He added that digital skills are becoming increasingly important in everyday life and that Ba-Ikhtiar aims to help women use technology meaningfully to access information and services, support their families and explore new economic opportunities.
Anwar Ul Haq, Senior Programme Manager at IRM, appreciated the collaboration between PPAF, PTCL and IRM, describing Ba-Ikhtiar as a valuable model for inclusive skills development and women’s economic empowerment in Pakistan. He also recommended continuing and scaling up such initiatives to create greater opportunities for women.
By combining technical competencies with digital capabilities, the Ba-Ikhtiar Initiative aims to create pathways towards greater financial independence, sustainable livelihoods and meaningful participation in the formal and digital economy.
PTCL said the rollout of the digital literacy component reflects its commitment to advancing digital inclusion and women’s empowerment through strategic partnerships designed to create lasting social impact.
