KARACHI, December 18, 2024 – In a landmark initiative aimed at driving economic empowerment and gender equality, P&G Pakistan, Imtiaz Group—Pakistan’s largest retailer—and Akhuwat Islamic Microfinance have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide interest-free loans to women micropreneurs.
This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to fostering local entrepreneurship and supporting economic growth in marginalized communities. By providing interest-free loans, the initiative seeks to unlock the potential of women entrepreneurs, enabling them to establish sustainable businesses that uplift their families and positively impact society.
The partnership is set to launch with in-store activations and a donation-match program involving employees of P&G Pakistan and Imtiaz Group. This initiative aims to raise approximately PKR 1 crore, transforming the lives of over 500 women and creating employment opportunities for around 800 individuals. Consumers can contribute to the cause through purchases of Ariel, Pampers, Always, Gillette, Head & Shoulders, Pantene, and Safeguard from December 27–29, 2024, with proceeds supporting the program.
Ovais Ather Yousuf, Chief Executive Officer of P&G Pakistan, stated, “We are dedicated to advancing gender parity by expanding sustainable economic opportunities for women. Our collaboration with Imtiaz Group and Akhuwat Islamic Microfinance aims to empower women in marginalized communities and foster their financial independence as entrepreneurs.”
While global trends indicate a rise in women’s financial inclusion and entrepreneurship, Pakistan still lags, with women’s contributions primarily confined to societal roles. A World Bank report highlights the urgent need for increased access to financial resources for women to launch and scale businesses. This initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) #1 (No Poverty) and #5 (Gender Equality).
“As a community-oriented retailer, we believe empowering women micropreneurs goes beyond supporting individual businesses—it’s about creating a ripple effect that uplifts entire communities,” said Umer Imtiaz, Chief Executive Officer of Imtiaz Group. “By inviting our customers to join this transformative initiative, we aim to drive meaningful change, helping women unlock their potential and contribute to sustainable economic growth.”
Danish Aman, Chairman Council of Patrons Sindh, Akhuwat Islamic Microfinance, added, “Poverty is not just about lack of resources; it’s about deprivation of social networks, justice, and hope. These interest-free loans are designed to empower women entrepreneurs, enhancing their living standards and uplifting society as a whole.”
P&G Pakistan continues to advance its mission of equality and inclusion by leveraging its business operations and advertising reach to address gender bias, support education for girls, and promote women’s economic empowerment.
This initiative promises to ignite a ripple effect of empowerment and economic growth across Pakistan, setting an inspiring example of collaboration to achieve meaningful societal impact.
