Islamabad – August 29, 2017: Expanding its digital footprint to the far-flung and underserved areas of the country, Pakistan’s premier telecom, and digital services provider, Telenor Pakistan has launched its mobile agriculture advisory service ‘Khushaal Zamindaar’ in Gilgit – Baltistan. Launched in collaboration with Market Development Facility (MDF), the innovative service will provide localized and customized advisory services to facilitate local farmers in increasing their agricultural yield.

The high-spirited launch event was held at a local hotel in the provincial capital, Gilgit. The honorable guests include MDF, members from Agha Khan Rural Support Program (AKRSP), Japan Inter Cooperation Agency (JICA), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), media persons, community leaders, female farmers of Gilgit and Telenor Pakistan officials.

The mobile agriculture service in Gilgit – Baltistan will provide location based weather forecast and information about value chains like Apricots, apple, potato and other crops cultivated in the region. The service shall also benefit the farmers who rear livestock, potentially transforming the domestic use to commercial benefits in the long run.

Speaking at the event, Head of Mobile Agriculture, Telenor Pakistan, Habib Saqib said: “Telenor Pakistan is bringing its innovative mobile agriculture solution to Gilgit – Baltistan to supplement the socio – economic progress of the region. Khushaal Zamindar will enable and empower the local farmers to make calculated and informed decisions to increase their agricultural yield. They will also be able to adopt best practices used around the world to get better yields in terms of quality and quantity. The initiative comes in line with Telenor Pakistan’s commitment to empowering the societies and we believe that true empowerment comes with financial liberty. We will continue to contribute to the socio – economic progress and well-being of the region.”

Sharing his thoughts, Osman Anwar, Coordinator Pakistan Country Team, MDF said, “Telenor’s 7272 service is very relevant for smallholder farmers in Gilgit-Baltistan. The MDF would like to congratulate Telenor for launching a service which has been designed by including feedback from a multitude of farmers. Weather alerts, forecasts, and crop advisory are core to a successful farming system particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan, a region where providing physical extension is difficult in hard to reach valleys and accurate weather information is seldom available. We hope that Telenor builds on the exciting suite of services and continues to add value in the lives of smallholder farmers by providing practical solutions to problems around information, market access, and credit.”

Punjab IT Board’s Grand Herself Women Convention (HWC) is all set to take place on the 8th of July, 2017 at Arfa Software Technology Park, Lahore. The day-long event is being organized on the 1st anniversary of the women empowerment initiative of Punjab IT Board –‘Herself’driven by Dr. Umar Saif, Chairman PITB.

Facebook, being the official partners for this event, shall be pooling in their best human resource all the way from Facebook Head Quartersto conduct activities and competitions at the convention for women in Pakistan to benefit from. The day-long event promises to bring you various exciting sessions, panel discussions featuring significant names in the industry including Seema Aziz, owner of the Bareeze and the only woman from Pakistan listed in Forbes 500, Dr. Amjad Saqib, Founder and Executive Director of Akhuwat, Zainab Abbas, the famous ‘selfiekawaar’ sports journalist, Ms. BushraAman, Secretary Women Development Department, Fizza Farhan, Global Development Advisor / Member – UN HLP, Rafia Qaseem Baig, the brave soul – Asia’s first woman bomb disposal squadron and Samar Khan the first women in the world to ride cycle on the Karakoram Mountains of Gilgit Baltistan.

Furthermore, there are some really cool workshops designed by Herself’s local partners, motivational talks by successful entrepreneurs for all those looking for inspiration in their lives, a ‘Herself Enclosure’ that shall feature the best of Herself graduates displaying their work and the most interesting part is the theatre play and much more.

This grand convention revolves around the theme ‘Steps towards a progressive nation’ focusing on breaking stereotypes of women heroes.It highlights the contribution of women to the economy of Pakistan and aims to help young women build their network with successful women in various fields. Furthermore, it encourages them to redefine and idealize women who have dedicated their lives to improve this country.

As Dr. Umar Saif comments, “At Punjab Information Technology Board, 60% of our workforce is women. Herself Women Convention is PITB’s way of showcasing and celebrating not just the women of PITB but women of this entire country, Pakistan.”

The aim of this powerful convention is to gather wonder women from all across Pakistan to highlight the success of their work in multiple domains and motivate young women to step in the workforce to contribute in the economy. In a country where 48% population is women and only 28% contribute to the economy, the issues are not only of policy but also of motivation. The convention is designed to cater all such problems existing in our society. ‘Herself’ is calling out all entrepreneurs, students, graduates, employees, housewives, and those who are beginning their careers to come and be a part of this convention with the surety that you won’t leave empty handed.

HWC is being organized by Nabeel A. Qadeer (Director Entrepreneurship & Enterprise Development, Punjab IT Board) and his team. The head of the entrepreneurship wing says: “I want to thank Facebook for their support in our journey so far. The vision of ‘Herself’ is to increase women entrepreneurs, freelancers, women participation in the workforce and revamp the definition of heroes; HWC is just one glimpse of what we plan to achieve through this platform.”

“I invite you all to this one of a kind conference.” he concludes.

Through this convention, PITB hopes to highlight and celebrate women on a national level and let everyone know of their struggles and successes. This will also serve the attendees by providing them inspiration and direction for their careers. All those who are seeking inspiration and guidance are encouraged to join.

Registrations for HWC are currently open and all those who want to be a part of this first of its kind event, click this link to register free of cost on their website: www.hwc.pitb.gov.pk