Reinforcing its position as a leader in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Pakistan’s leading digital microfinance bank, Mobilink Bank has successfully graduated 18 women-led startups under its Women Inspirational Network (WIN) Incubator Program, an industry-first initiative designed to unlock the economic potential of women entrepreneurs in Pakistan.

The graduation ceremony, held in Islamabad, was attended by Ms. Wajiha Qamar, Minister of State for Federal Education & Professional Training, as the Chief Guest, alongside key stakeholders from the public and private sectors. 

The WIN program equipped participants with practical skills in digital entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and business scaling, enabling them to build resilient, future-ready enterprises. The ceremony concluded with awards recognizing high-impact ventures emerging from the cohort.

Green Plastics secured the Best Startup Award and received PKR 1 million in seed funding for its innovative solution converting potato peels into recyclable bags. Ecogen and EcoFlow were named winners of the Innovation Challenge, each receiving PKR 500,000 in seed funding for their impactful work in food waste management and affordable sanitary solutions for underserved communities.

With a total of 31 startups now graduated, Mobilink Bank continues to set the benchmark for enabling women-led businesses through structured incubation, mentorship, and access to financial and digital ecosystems. 

Speaking at the occasion, Ms. Wajiha Qamar, Minister of State for Federal Education & Professional Training said that, “The graduation of 18 women-led startups under Mobilink Bank’s WIN Incubator is a powerful testament to the transformative impact of investing in women’s potential. Initiatives like this not only equip women with essential entrepreneurial and digital skills but also pave the way for a more inclusive and resilient economy. It is encouraging to see these ventures addressing critical challenges such as sustainability and social equity. Continued collaboration between the public and private sectors will be key to expanding such opportunities and enabling more women across Pakistan to become drivers of innovation and economic growth.”

Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary, President & CEO, Mobilink Bank, remarked that, “At Mobilink Bank, we are moving beyond access to impact. The WIN Incubator is unlocking a new generation of women entrepreneurs who are not just participating in the economy but leading it. Their success is building a more resilient, inclusive, and future-ready Pakistan.”

The graduating cohort demonstrated a strong focus on sustainability and social impact, with ventures addressing pressing challenges such as plastic waste, food waste, and period poverty, highlighting the growing role of women entrepreneurs in driving climate-conscious and socially responsible innovation. This also comes in line with the Bank’s ESG policy, which is strongly embedded into its core operations.

Mobilink Bank’s continued investment in initiatives like WIN underscores its commitment to building a more inclusive, innovative, and resilient economic future, where women are not just participants, but leaders of change.

In celebration of International Women’s Day, Fatima Fertilizer Company Limited has launched its “Sarsabz Tabeer: Seeds of Change” DVC, paying tribute to the extraordinary women who are shaping the future of agriculture in Pakistan.

The campaign recognizes the resilience, strength, and unwavering dedication of women working across the agricultural value chain; women whose contributions have long nourished communities and sustained the land despite social and economic challenges. Through powerful storytelling, “Seeds of Change” highlights the often-unseen role of rural women as farmers, entrepreneurs, caregivers, and agents of change driving agricultural progress.

At the heart of this initiative is Fatima Fertilizer’s flagship women empowerment programme, Sarsabz Tabeer, launched in 2022 to integrate rural women’s voices into Pakistan’s agricultural narrative. Built on four foundational pillars—education, financial aid, skill development, and health—the programme equips women with practical tools for financial independence and long-term resilience.

Through structured training sessions conducted by USAID-certified experts, more than 3,500 women across Pakistan have received food processing training to transform surplus farm produce into value-added, marketable products, reducing post-harvest losses and creating new income streams. The programme also provides interest-free loans to rural women entrepreneurs in collaborations with Akhuwat, enabling many to launch small scale businesses that supply products to hotels and restaurants or operate their own small retail outlets.

Additionally, the programme organizes healthcare camps in collaboration with Mukhtar A. Sheikh Hospital and the Punjab Government, offering free medical consultations and medicines to female farmers, their children, and their families. Such initiatives highlight how private-sector participation, when aligned with community needs, can contribute meaningfully to a more inclusive agricultural ecosystem.

Rabel Sadozai, Director Marketing & Sales at Fatima Fertilizer, said, “Women have always been the backbone of Pakistan’s agricultural economy, yet their contributions often remain unrecognized. Through the ‘Seeds of Change’ campaign and our Sarsabz Tabeer initiative, we aim to celebrate their resilience while creating meaningful opportunities that enable rural women to achieve financial independence and play a stronger role in shaping the future of agriculture. Empowering women is not only a social responsibility, but it is essential for sustainable agricultural growth and national prosperity.”

By highlighting real stories of empowerment, the “Seeds of Change” campaign reinforces Fatima Fertilizer’s commitment to inclusive agricultural development and female empowerment. The company continues to set a strong example for corporate Pakistan by fostering a culture that recognizes, values, and amplifies the indispensable role of women in strengthening the country’s agricultural ecosystem.

Pakistan’s leading digital microfinance bank, Mobilink Bank, has entered into a strategic collaboration with the National Vocational & Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) to strengthen skills development, expand financial inclusion, and support young people and women across Pakistan.

Under the partnership, Mobilink Bank will deliver free financial literacy training programs at NAVTTC funded institutes, supported by digital literacy initiatives through Jazz and their She Fixes programme. The Bank will facilitate instant digital account opening for trainees, enabling seamless access to formal financial services. NAVTTC graduates and aspiring entrepreneurs will also receive access to MSME financing solutions to help them launch or scale micro-businesses, alongside free online banking services to encourage safe digital adoption. In addition, the partnership extends virtual medical consultations through the Mobilink Bank app and provides tailored health insurance options for NAVTTC employees and affiliated members.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary, President & CEO, Mobilink Bank, said: “This partnership with NAVTTC marks an important step toward building a more inclusive, future-ready, and financially empowered Pakistan. At Mobilink Bank, we believe that sustainable growth comes from equipping people with the right skills, digital tools, and access to finance. By supporting NAVTTC trainees, especially women and young entrepreneurs, we aim to strengthen their economic participation and enable them to thrive in a rapidly evolving, skills-driven future.”

Gulmina Bilal Ahmad, Chairperson NAVTTC, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to expanding equitable opportunities for skilled youth nationwide, calling the collaboration an important contribution to Pakistan’s economic inclusion agenda.

Both organizations aim to particularly emphasize women’s workforce participation, green and climate-resilient skills, and technology-enabled job placement for young graduates.

The initiative is expected to benefit thousands of trainees across Pakistan, improving financial and digital literacy, expanding access to entrepreneurship, and supporting underserved communities. It reinforces Mobilink Bank’s ongoing efforts to drive inclusion, support women’s economic mobility, and promote equitable development across the country.

Financial Highlights
• Group revenue increased by 15% on a YoY basis, driven by strong growth in fixed broadband, mobile data, enterprise, and carrier wholesale services.
• PTCL revenue grew by 13% YoY, led by 56% growth in Flash Fiber and 17% growth in Business Solutions compared to the same period last year.
• Carrier and Wholesale business maintained its momentum with 24% growth. The international segment also recorded a YoY revenue increase of 6%.
• PTCL’s operating profit reached Rs. 12.9 billion, up 57% over YTD 2024 and posted a net loss of Rs. 1.2 billion primarily due to one-off booking of additional pension liability amounting to Rs. 5.9 billion pursuant to the decision of the Honourable Supreme Court of Pakistan.
• Ufone 4G posted YoY topline growth of 15%, demonstrating resilience across commercial and operational areas.
• Sustained topline growth, together with ongoing cost optimisation initiatives, enabled Ufone to deliver a strong EBIT of Rs. 11.9 billion compared to Rs. 1.6 billion in YTD 2024.
• U Microfinance Bank (Ubank) recorded 19% YoY revenue growth.

PTCL Group Highlights

The Competition Commission of Pakistan granted Phase-II approval for the proposed acquisition of Telenor Pakistan by PTCL, marking an important milestone in the consolidation of the telecom sector. This milestone strengthens PTCL Group’s position in the industry, further driving connectivity, expanding digital access, and contributing to the Government’s vision of a digitally empowered Pakistan.
PTCL Flash Fiber continued to lead the market as the fastest-growing fiber broadband operator, achieving year-on-year growth of around 30% and maintaining the highest subscriber market share at 35%. The company also introduced the Tez Raftaar offer, providing high-speed internet at a discounted rate to enhance access for homes and businesses nationwide.

PTCL’s business services segment maintained its leadership position across IP bandwidth, Cloud, Data Center, and ICT solutions, further strengthening Pakistan’s position as a regional connectivity hub.
During Q3 2025, PTCL sealed a landmark Trans-Pakistan connectivity agreement with leading Chinese operators, strengthening east-west digital trade routes. In addition, PTCL also achieved a major milestone by executing wet segment capacity sales from Singapore to Marseille through submarine cable partnerships, underscoring Pakistan’s growing role in global digital infrastructure.
The Enterprise business expanded into new verticals such as FinTech, securing significant wins. Trakker and IoT solutions gained momentum, while major M2M deals were closed with government customers.
PTCL experienced strong growth in IP bandwidth and managed capacity penetration within the Wholesale segment, boosting the adoption of emerging digital services such as Content Delivery Networks. Strategic partnerships were formed with major CMOs for IP bandwidth and satellite-based connectivity across Pakistan, particularly in AJK and GB, including a landmark alliance with a leading satellite provider to expand broadband access nationwide.

PTCL has delivered Pakistan’s first 5G-ready smart residential community, combining seamless connectivity with modern living to enable future-ready digital lifestyles. This milestone showcases PTCL’s ability to adapt global technologies for transformative customer experiences and advance the Digital Pakistan vision. Significant projects were also secured with leading financial institutions and public sector clients in ICT and core services.

As part of its innovation journey, PTCL became the first in the industry to launch automated bill delivery via WhatsApp, enabling customers to receive their monthly bills directly and conveniently.

The Company also partnered with Mercantile, Apple’s authorised distributor in Pakistan, to launch the iPhone 17 series bundled with exclusive offers on Ufone and PTCL Flash Fiber services in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad. The partnership offers official, warranty-backed devices with extended warranties, instant insurance coverage, and bundled telecom benefits, providing customers with premium connectivity and an enhanced digital experience in line with PTCL Group’s commitment to delivering modern and reliable services.

Ufone sustained its growth trajectory, achieving a 5.9 percentage-point increase in 4G base penetration to reach 69.2% in September 2025. The company also advanced its network modernisation by phasing out 44% of its 3G network and reallocating spectrum resources to strengthen 4G and VoLTE performance.
The Group’s digital and financial services portfolio delivered strong momentum. UPaisa recorded 1.2 million monthly active users, reflecting approximately 153% year-on-year growth, while the My Ufone app reached 5.4 million monthly active users, up 65%. Ufone also maintained its leadership in digital recharge penetration.
Building on our success at the Pakistan Digital Awards and Effie Pakistan, PTCL Group has added another milestone by winning four prestigious honours at the Dragons of Pakistan 2025 Awards. The Group earned a Gold Award for ‘Dil Se’ initiative: Thar Water Plants, a Bronze Award for ‘Data Bohhaaat Hai x PSL’, and two Black Awards for ‘Hockey Hai Pakistan Ki Shaan’ and ‘Data Bohhaaat Hai Weekly Grand Offer’. These campaigns celebrated Pakistan’s spirit, creative excellence and consistent focus on meaningful communication that connects with audiences across Pakistan. Each initiative reflects the purpose and passion that continue to guide PTCL Group’s work.

Social Impact: ‘Dil Se’ Initiatives Making a Difference

Under its flagship social impact platform ‘Dil Se’, PTCL Group continues to drive meaningful change by forging strategic partnerships and delivering community-focused programs that promote socioeconomic inclusion, empowerment, and connectivity nationwide.

Following the success of the first phase of the ‘Ba-Ikhtiar’ program, PTCL Group renewed its partnership with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) to launch the second phase of the initiative for the economic and digital integration of small-scale women entrepreneurs. The Group has initiated a nationwide registration drive for the expanded program. The rollout will begin with the Christian community in Rawalpindi and the Kalash community in Chitral KP, before expanding to 23 cities across Pakistan to support women entrepreneurs through digital and financial enablement.

PTCL Group is further expanding its partnership with PPAF to address other vital aspects of community well-being. The institutions have signed another MoU to provide access to clean drinking water in underserved regions of Thar and South Punjab through solutions such as reverse osmosis systems, rainwater harvesting plants, and hand pumps, which will benefit over 200,000 people.

Additionally, PTCL Group demonstrated operational resilience following the recent floods that affected several regions of Pakistan. Ufone 4G provided free call minutes in the most impacted districts to help people contact emergency services and their families, while PTCL extended bill discounts on Fixed Broadband services to affected customers. These initiatives reflect the Group’s commitment to community welfare and its role as a trusted connectivity partner during times of crisis.

PTCL Group also introduced SUNO, an AI-powered early warning system developed in partnership with ConnectHear to support the deaf and hard-of-hearing community during emergencies and natural disasters. The system delivers sign language video alerts via Ufone’s WhatsApp platform, ensuring timely and accessible communication free of cost. This initiative represents PTCL Group’s ongoing effort to promote inclusion and public safety through technology.

PTCL Group, in collaboration with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), announced the expansion of its flagship women empowerment initiative, Ba-Ikhtiar, during GITEX Global 2025 in Dubai. The agreement was signed between Hatem Bamatraf, President and Group CEO, PTCL & Ufone 4G, and Nadir Gul Barech, CEO, PPAF, marking another milestone in PTCL Group’s commitment to inclusive development and digital empowerment across Pakistan.

‘Ba-Ikhtiar’, a social initiative jointly piloted by PTCL Group (PTCL & Ufone 4G) and the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) to empower 100 underprivileged women entrepreneurs in Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is now being expanded to 23 flood-affected cities across the country following its resounding success. The extended program aims to up-skill over 2,300 women by equipping them with digital and entrepreneurial capabilities to enhance their livelihoods and drive upward social mobility.

The Ba-Ikhtiar program combines digital literacy, financial management, and training in practical trades such as stitching, pottery, handicrafts, food preservation, and organic cosmetics. Leveraging PTCL Group’s digital infrastructure and connectivity alongside PPAF’s nationwide community outreach, the initiative connects participants with the tools, platforms, and opportunities needed to turn skills into long-term income.

Speaking on the occasion, Hatem Bamatraf, President and Group CEO, PTCL & Ufone 4G, said, “PTCL Group leverages its digital expertise and infrastructure to enhance the well-being of underprivileged communities. Through our social impact platform, ‘Dil Se’, we have touched thousands of lives with transformative initiatives. Ba-Ikhtiar stands out as a flagship program that sets a new benchmark in sustainable social empowerment, and we are proud to extend this opportunity to more talented women across Pakistan.”

CEO PPAF, Nadir Gul Barech, added, “The expansion of the Ba-Ikhtiar program marks a significant milestone in our journey to empower women from vulnerable communities. PPAF’s partnership with PTCL Group allows us to combine social development with digital innovation to create real pathways for women to achieve economic self-reliance. We are glad to enable women across Pakistan to build livelihoods that are both sustainable and transformative for their communities.”

The Ba-Ikhtiar program represents a shared vision of building a digitally inclusive Pakistan, where women are empowered through knowledge, technology, and opportunity. The initiative is now set to bring thousands more women into the fold of economic empowerment and self-reliance. Ends