PBM Chief Inaugurates Exhibition, Opens Markets for Women
ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Aug, 2026)
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. This event, in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme and An-Nisa Dastkari school, aims to bridge vocational skills with entrepreneurship, digital markets, and sustainable livelihoods.
The exhibition, held on August 23 and 24, brought together women trainees, government representatives, diplomats, NGOs, and other stakeholders to display a diverse range of products crafted by trainees from PBM centres nationwide.
Ambassador of Rwanda to Pakistan Harerimana Fatou, MNA and Parliamentary Secretary for National Heritage and Culture Farah Naz Akbar, various NGO representatives, and trainees from PBM’s Women Empowerment Centres attended the event.
Senator Capt. Shaheen Khalid Butt, along with distinguished guests, toured the stalls, admiring the creations displayed by the trainees. He commended their creativity, dedication, and efforts to transform vocational skills into marketable goods.
Addressing the gathering, the Ambassador of Rwanda praised Pakistani culture as rich and dignified and congratulated PBM’s leadership for their contribution to women’s empowerment. She expressed her commitment to collaborative initiatives aimed at improving the lives of disadvantaged women.
Senator Capt. Shaheen stated that PBM's women empowerment program has evolved beyond vocational training, now offering a comprehensive pathway from skills development to entrepreneurship, market access, and sustainable income. He emphasized the need to equip trainees with contemporary marketing skills, particularly digital marketing and online selling, to reach customers beyond their local communities.
"Connecting women producers with e-commerce and digital platforms can unlock new markets, expand businesses, and create lasting income sources," he noted. The PBM chief called for stronger partnerships between public institutions, private businesses, NGOs, and digital platforms to foster sustainable economic opportunities for women across the country.
He highlighted reforms implemented at PBM’s 165 Women Empowerment Centres to modernize skill training and align courses with evolving market demands. Senator Butt mentioned that over 400,000 trainees have graduated from these centres thus far.
Referring to the Prime Minister's Uraan Pakistan Programme, Senator Capt. Shaheen emphasized PBM’s alignment with the national goal of inclusive economic growth by empowering women through skills, entrepreneurship, market access, and digital inclusion.
MS Farah Naz Akbar also stressed the importance of skilled women in strengthening families and the nation.