Islamabad, October 3, 2025 — Shirakat Foundation, formerly known as Shirakat – Partnership for Development, in collaboration with the State Bank of Pakistan, successfully organized the Women Micro-Entrepreneurship Expo 2025 at the State Bank premises in Islamabad.
The Expo served as a vibrant platform for women micro-entrepreneurs to showcase their products, share their entrepreneurial journeys, and engage directly with key stakeholders, thereby strengthening market linkages and networking opportunities. The esteemed SBP Governor Mr. Jameel Ahmed visited women’s stalls and had candid conversations with them.
Women shared their experiences with digital onboarding as well as providing valuable feedback to the Governor.
The seminar opened with a welcome address by Ms. Bilquis Tahira, Executive Director of Shirakat Foundation, who shared Shirakat’s journey since 2010. Shirakat works on social and gender justice, economic justice and climate justice. Under its sustainable livelihoods programme, she highlighted the organization’s contributions, including vocational and technical training training more than 6,000 youth with a 66% employability rate, supporting 1,250 women-led businesses, establishing Pakistan’s first women’s agricultural cooperative with 750 members, enrolling over 11,000 girls in schools, and reaching over two million people through gender-based violence prevention campaigns.
The first ever Association of Women Microentrepreneurs called ‘Pur Azm’ was launched on the occasion by women micro-entrepreneurs.
They highlighted the main abjectives of the Association including providing technical support such as capacity building of members and advocacy with the authorities to provide them better opportunities. The first ever directory of women entrepreneurs in Pakistan, developed and printed by Shirakat was shared with the participants.
A series of distinguished speakers delivered insightful addresses on women’s empowerment, financial literacy, digital inclusion, and sustainable growth.
Ms. Simona Lanzoni, Vice President and Head of Projects at the Pangea Foundation, underscored the organization’s global commitment to advancing women’s socio-economic empowerment and addressing gender-based violence.
She commended Shirakat Foundation, along with institutions such as the Chamber of Commerce and the State Bank of Pakistan, for recognizing and supporting women-led microenterprises—describing it as a vital step toward positioning women as equal partners in economic and social development.
Mr. Imtiaz Ali, Senior Deputy Chief Manager at SBP BSC Islamabad, delivered an address on “Financial Literacy and Women’s Empowerment.” He emphasized that the long-term sustainability of women-led businesses depends on adopting sound financial management practices such as budgeting, record-keeping, and informed decision-making. He encouraged women entrepreneurs to strengthen their financial knowledge in order to build resilience, improve access to credit, and enhance their competitiveness in the market.
Mr. Augusto Palmieri, First Secretary at the Embassy of Italy, highlighted the importance of collaboration among states, institutions, and development partners in advancing women’s economic empowerment. He reaffirmed the Embassy of Italy’s commitment to supporting women-led enterprises, promoting inclusive growth, and strengthening family livelihoods through international cooperation.
The discussion also spotlighted the role of digital innovations in reshaping women’s access to finance.
Mr. Sakhawat Ali Khan, Senior Officer at SBP BSC Islamabad, presented the State Bank’s digital payment initiatives—including mobile wallets, branchless banking, and other digital platforms—that are providing women entrepreneurs with safer, faster, and more accessible financial services, particularly in underserved areas. Mr. Riasat Zaman, Specialist for Financial Inclusion at the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), further elaborated on the potential of digital onboarding to expand women’s participation in the formal economy. He noted that simplified digital processes can help women-led businesses scale their operations, reduce reliance on intermediaries, and fully engage in the growing digital marketplace.
As Chief Guest, Mr. Muhammad Awais Satti, President of the Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industries, commended the resilience, creativity, and determination of women entrepreneurs. He reaffirmed the Chamber’s support in enhancing women’s access to markets, trade networks, and growth opportunities. Ms. Samina Fazil, President of the Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry, stressed the critical importance of women’s representation in trade associations and policymaking forums.
She advocated for the development of mentorship programs, structured networking opportunities, and targeted policy reforms to ensure an enabling environment where women entrepreneurs can thrive on an equal footing.
The Expo concluded with closing remarks by Mr. Adnan Imran, Chief Manager at SBP BSC Islamabad, who extended a vote of thanks to all participants and partners.
He appreciated the strong collaboration between Shirakat Foundation and the State Bank of Pakistan in organizing the event and reaffirmed SBP’s commitment to promoting women’s financial inclusion and strengthening the overall ecosystem for women micro-entrepreneurs.
