Qurrat-ul-Ain Named Chairperson of UBG Women Special Initiative Board

Qurrat-ul-Ain, Vice President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), has been nominated as Chairperson of the United Business Group (UBG) Women Special Initiative Board. She described the appointment as a national responsibility and pledged to advance economic opportunities for women across Pakistan.

Qurrat-ul-Ain thanked UBG Patron-in-Chief S. M. Tanveer and Secretary General Zafar Bakhtawari for placing their trust in her. She also acknowledged the support of the group’s core committee.

She said the role goes beyond a formal position. Her stated mission is to strengthen women’s economic independence, dignity and representation in business and decision-making.

Ten-Year Roadmap for Women’s Economic Empowerment

The new chairperson outlined plans to develop and implement a 10-year strategic roadmap for women’s economic empowerment. The proposed framework will focus on institutional development, measurable results and sustainable initiatives.

Key priorities include expanding export opportunities for women-led businesses and creating business-to-business partnerships in domestic and international markets. The initiative also aims to increase women’s participation in economic policymaking, trade negotiations and institutional leadership.

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Financial inclusion will form another major area of focus. The proposed agenda seeks to improve women entrepreneurs’ access to finance, investment, credit and business resources.

Supporting Women Entrepreneurs and Digital Skills

The initiative plans to support startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, rural entrepreneurs and women-owned businesses. Greater access to markets and export-readiness support could help these enterprises compete more effectively.

Skills development, innovation and digital transformation also feature prominently in the proposed roadmap. These priorities aim to prepare women and young entrepreneurs for emerging business opportunities.

Qurrat-ul-Ain further highlighted the importance of stronger institutional partnerships. The plan calls for closer coordination among women’s chambers, government bodies, international development partners and private-sector organisations.

Promoting Equal Economic Opportunities

The chairperson emphasised that women across Pakistan’s districts and regions should have fair opportunities to participate in economic activity, lead businesses and achieve financial independence.

She described Pakistan’s 130 million women as a major economic resource whose potential requires greater recognition and investment.

“The time has come to move from representation to participation, from participation to leadership, and from leadership to measurable economic impact,” she said.

Qurrat-ul-Ain said she would work with UBG leadership, women’s chambers and national and international partners to establish a lasting institutional framework for women’s economic empowerment.

She concluded by expressing hope that the initiative would create sustainable opportunities for future generations of Pakistani women through greater access, stronger representation and meaningful economic participation.