PBM Chief inaugurates exhibition, opens markets for women

ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (APP):Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM) Managing Director Senator Capt. Shaheen Khalid Butt inaugurated a two-day exhibition at Aiwan-e-Quaid, F-9 Park, showcasing products made by women trainees from PBM’s Women Empowerment Centres across Pakistan, in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme and An-Nisa Dastkari School, as part of efforts to connect vocational skills with entrepreneurship, digital markets and sustainable livelihoods.

The exhibition being held on August 23 and 24, brought together women trainees, government representatives, diplomats, NGOs and other stakeholders to showcase a wide range of products prepared by women trained at PBM centres across the country.

Ambassador of Rwanda to Pakistan Harerimana Fatou, MNA and Parliamentary Secretary for National Heritage and Culture Farah Naz Akbar, representatives of various NGOs and trainees from PBM’s Women Empowerment Centres attended the event.

Senator Capt. Shaheen Khalid Butt, along with the distinguished guests, visited the stalls and reviewed the products displayed by the trainees.

He appreciated their creativity, dedication and efforts to turn vocational skills into marketable products.

Addressing the gathering, the Ambassador of Rwanda described Pakistani culture as rich and dignified and congratulated PBM’s leadership and team for their contribution to women’s empowerment.

She expressed her commitment to collaborative efforts aimed at improving the lives of disadvantaged women.

Senator Capt. Shaheen said PBM’s women empowerment programme was no longer limited to vocational training but was being developed as a complete pathway from skills development to entrepreneurship, market access and sustainable income.

He stressed the need to equip women trainees with contemporary marketing skills, particularly digital marketing and online selling, so their products could reach customers beyond their local communities.

“Connecting women producers with e-commerce and digital platforms can open new markets, expand businesses and create sustainable sources of income,” he said.

The PBM chief also called for stronger partnerships among public-sector institutions, private businesses, NGOs and digital platforms to create sustainable economic opportunities for women across the country.

He highlighted reforms introduced at PBM’s 165 Women Empowerment Centres to modernise skills training and align courses with changing market requirements.

Senator Butt said more than 400,000 trainees had graduated from the centres so far.

Referring to the Prime Minister’s Uraan Pakistan Programme, Senator Capt. Shaheen said PBM’s broader vision is aligned with the national goal of inclusive economic growth by empowering women through skills, entrepreneurship, market access and digital inclusion.

MS Farah Naz Akbar also underscored the importance of skilled women in strengthening families and the national economy.

She appreciated PBM’s efforts to create an enabling environment where women could convert their skills into sustainable economic opportunities and become economically empowered, self-reliant and confident contributors to society.