Islamabad – October 16, 2026: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has earned two prestigious honors at the Dragons of Asia Awards 2026, with its social impact initiative, Dil Se Ba-Ikhtiar winning a Bronze Dragon in the Best in Digital category, while its Mother’s Day campaign received a Black Dragon in Marketing Discipline.

The recognition reflects the company’s efforts to leverage communications and digital technology to advance meaningful social causes, and contribute to a more inclusive and empowered society. It also underscores PTCL’s broader ambition to create value beyond connectivity by supporting initiatives that address real societal needs and enable individuals and communities to realize their full potential.

PTCL’s Dil Se Ba-Ikhtiar initiative mirrors the company’s commitment to women’s socioeconomic empowerment through digital inclusion, skills development and entrepreneurial opportunity. Ba-Ikhtiar, now spanning 22 flood affected districts nationwide, demonstrates how digital access and skills development can help create pathways towards greater economic independence.

PTCL’s ‘Mother’s Day: More Support for Mothers’ campaign similarly reflects the company’s belief that meaningful communication should extend beyond awareness to encourage tangible support for people and causes that matter. The campaign sought to encourage a more empathetic and supportive approach to motherhood, particularly with regards to new mothers’ fight against post-partum depression.

Commenting on the achievement, Amad Khan, Chief Marketing Officer, PTCL, said, “We are delighted to be recognized at the regional level for our campaigns that have already been honored in the country. We believe the true value of our work lies in the difference it makes in people’s lives. Our ambition is to use our reach and capabilities to contribute to meaningful social progress. We remain committed to building initiatives that empower communities and support a more inclusive digital future for Pakistan.”

The Dragons of Asia Awards recognize marketing communications excellence across Asia, with campaigns assessed by international judging panels on strategy, concept, execution and results. The programme recognizes work that combines creative thinking with strategic relevance and demonstrable effectiveness, making the recognition a significant endorsement of PTCL’s purpose-led approach to communications.

The latest achievement follows PTCL’s strong performance at the Dragons of Pakistan Awards 2026, where the company secured five awards for its campaigns, Pakistan Ki Pehchan – Celebrating Pakistan’s Underrepresented Sports; Dil Se Ba-Ikhtiar; Mother’s Day: More Support for Mothers; and World Education Day Campaign.

Rabat – On Friday, October 16, 2026, King Mohammed VI of Morocco presided over the ceremony appointing the members of the new government at the Royal Palace in Rabat. The government, headed by Fatima Zahra Mansouri, was formed following the parliamentary elections held in September.The new government includes officials who retained their positions, along with new appointments to several ministerial portfolios. This was part of the lineup officially announced during the royal appointment ceremony.

The Ministers of Interior and Foreign Affairs will continue in their roles:

Abdelouafi Laftit retained his position as Minister of the Interior, and Nasser Bourita continued as Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Living Abroad. Similarly, Abdellatif Ouahbi assumed the Ministry of Justice, and Ahmed Toufiq the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs.

Changes in economic portfolios

The new appointments included assigning the Ministry of Economy and Finance to Faouzi Lekjaa. He previously served as president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation and as Minister Delegate in charge of the Budget.

These changes come as part of the formation of the new government following the parliamentary elections held on September 23. Those elections resulted in new political arrangements that led to Mansouri being appointed Prime Minister

The government begins a new phase.

The appointment of the cabinet members comes after King Mohammed VI tasked Fatima Zahra Mansouri with forming the government on September 29. She was then received at the Royal Palace on October 14, where she briefed him on the stages of forming the government team.                     The new government begins its duties in light of economic and social challenges, and aspirations to promote development and improve public services. It is expected to determine its practical priorities during the next phase.

Morocco’s Government Will Strive, In Line with High Royal Guidelines, to Develop Ambitious Program That Meets Citizens’ Expectations – El Mansouri.

The government will strive, in line with the High Guidelines of HM King Mohammed VI, contained in the Throne Speech and the Parliament opening, to develop and implement an ambitious program that meets the expectations of citizens and takes up the major challenges, said on Friday the Head of Government, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri. « This government comprises a working group composed of four political parties that share common referentials and converging programs. We have worked with these political formations in the past from different standpoints. Today, these parties represent a harmonious majority with a unified vision and a joint action program » El Mansouri told the press following the appointment ceremony of the new government members, chaired by His Majesty the King at the Royal Palace in Rabat.

El Mansouri said that she was honored by the appointment by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, of the members of government, adding that the new government includes competent individuals renowned for their expertise, and also stands out for its significant women and youth representation. She pointed out that the government program, which will be presented before the two Houses of Parliament, will include important solutions up to the aspirations and expectations of citizens, noting that the program will be implemented in a responsible spirit, through public policies with a positive impact on society.

Introduction Paragraph
Saima Bhutto, the Executive Director of SUPPORT Foundation, provided insights about the organisation during an interview with Flare. She said that the mission of the SUPPORT Foundation is to protect human rights, gender equality, legal information, social and economic inclusion, community resilience, women’s empowerment, legal aid, protection, advocacy, and the inclusion of transgender individuals. The foundation envisions a peaceful, developed, and inclusive society in which all individuals can exercise their rights with dignity and equality.

Q&A Section (Question & Answer)

Flare: Kindly briefly introduce SUPPORT Foundation and its core mission.
Saima Bhutto: SUPPORT Foundation is a women-led, non-profit, non-political and non-religious organisation working in Sindh since 2010. Based in Shikarpur, it supports vulnerable and marginalised communities across the province.
Its mission focuses on human rights, gender equality, legal information, social and economic inclusion, community resilience, women’s empowerment, legal aid, protection, advocacy and transgender inclusion. Its vision is a peaceful, developed and inclusive society where everyone can exercise their rights with dignity and equality.

Flare: What inspired you to establish SUPPORT Foundation, and how has it evolved?
Saima Bhutto: SUPPORT Foundation was established in 2010 in Shikarpur amid poverty, tribal conflict, displacement and devastating floods. Its founders believed communities needed more than assistance—they needed the knowledge and power to get their rights. It has evolved into a broader rights-based organisation serving women, girls, transgender people and other marginalised communities through legal and economic empowerment, protection, documentation, advocacy, climate resilience and emergency response.

Flare: What are the major challenges facing women, girls, transgender communities and other vulnerable groups in Pakistan?
Saima Bhutto: Major challenges include poverty, gender inequality, social exclusion, GBV, limited access to justice, child marriage, girls’ education, economic exclusion, lack of identity documents and climate-related displacement. Transgender people also face discrimination, violence, family rejection and barriers to employment, healthcare and social protection. These challenges require community-led solutions combining legal empowerment, protection, economic opportunities, documentation and climate resilience.

Flare: Which key programmes and grassroots initiatives is SUPPORT Foundation implementing?
Saima Bhutto: SUPPORT Foundation follows a community-led, rights-based approach focused on vulnerable and excluded groups.
Key programmes include women’s legal empowerment and GBV prevention; vocational training and livelihoods for women and girls; transgender people inclusion and CNIC support; documentation and social protection; community advocacy; and humanitarian and climate-resilience assistance, including food, water, healthcare, livelihoods and WASH.

Flare: Could you share some of SUPPORT Foundation’s key achievements and impact?
Saima Bhutto: Since 2010, SUPPORT Foundation has:

• Provided legal awareness to more than 1,300 women and legal advice to more than 400.

• Supported vocational initiatives for 400 rural women and adolescent girls.

• Helped transgender people obtain CNICs, access social protection and pursue livelihoods.

• Provided educational materials to 200 newly enrolled girls in four rural Shikarpur schools.

• Supported flood- and climate-affected households through humanitarian assistance, livelihoods, housing, water and sanitation.
  Helping transgender people obtain CNICs is particularly significant, as legal identity can unlock welfare, banking, employment and public services.

Flare: How does SUPPORT Foundation identify communities most in need and ensure interventions are relevant and sustainable?
Saima Bhutto: We use participatory, evidence-based assessments, prioritising communities facing poverty, exclusion, gender inequality, displacement, disaster vulnerability and limited access to services. Through consultations, focus groups, household assessments and field visits, communities help shape programmes, implementation and monitoring. Sustainability comes through local capacity-building, community partnerships and links to government services and social protection.

Flare: What role do advocacy, awareness, education and community participation play in your work?
Saima Bhutto: They are central to our approach. Sustainable change requires knowledge, confidence and a collective voice. We conduct advocacy and awareness on GBV, legal rights, social protection, health, education and discrimination, while education and skills development help communities make informed decisions and advocate for themselves.
Our goal is to move communities from awareness to action, exclusion to participation and dependency to empowerment.

Flare: How important are partnerships with government, donors, civil society, media and the private sector?
Saima Bhutto: Partnerships are essential. Government enables access to identity documents, social protection, justice, health and other services. Donors provide resources and technical support, while civil society strengthens outreach and advocacy.
Media can amplify marginalised voices, while the private sector can support skills, employment, technology and livelihoods. Together, these partnerships strengthen local ownership and sustainability.

Flare: What are the main funding and operational challenges faced by grassroots organisations in Pakistan?
Saima Bhutto: Grassroots organisations face limited and unpredictable funding, complex compliance requirements and difficult operating environments.
Short-term funding makes staff retention, community engagement and long-term planning difficult, while foreign-funded projects can involve EAD procedures, approvals and extensive documentation. Other challenges include limited institutional resources, donor access, social resistance, security concerns and growing climate pressures.

Flare: What are SUPPORT Foundation’s priorities and expansion plans?
Saima Bhutto: Our priorities include:

• Women’s protection and justice: Legal aid, rights awareness and referrals.

• Transgender people inclusion: CNICs, social protection, livelihoods and leadership.

• Women’s economic empowerment: Skills, entrepreneurship and market access.

• Civic participation: Greater involvement of women and marginalised groups in governance.

• Climate resilience: Disaster preparedness, WASH, resilient housing and livelihoods.

• Geographic expansion: Reaching under-served communities in North Sindh.

• Institutional sustainability: Strengthening fundraising, monitoring, safeguarding, finance and staff capacity.

Flare: As Executive Director, what has been your personal experience leading work with vulnerable communities?
Saima Bhutto: Since 2010, I have worked with women, girls, transgender people, poor families and other excluded communities in underserved areas of Sindh. The key lesson is that people need more than charity—they need dignity, information, opportunities and the ability to claim their rights. We listen first and develop solutions with communities.

Flare: What message would you like to share with Flare readers, policymakers, donors and potential partners?
Saima Bhutto: If we want a more peaceful, inclusive and developed Pakistan, no one should be left behind. Women, girls, transgender people and other marginalised communities are rights-holders, contributors and potential leaders. Policymakers should strengthen inclusive laws and services, while donors should invest in grassroots organisations through flexible, multi-year funding and capacity building. I also encourage civil society, media and the private sector to create opportunities for marginalised communities. At SUPPORT Foundation, we remain committed to working alongside communities—not speaking for them, but listening to them and creating space for them to lead.

COMPANY PROFILE
KDSP – A Down Syndrome Organisation is a non-profit, founded in March 2014 under Section 42 of the Companies Act, 2017, by individuals who recognised the need for a platform for those with Down syndrome in Karachi.

KDSP’s mission is to improve the value, acceptance, and inclusion of individuals with Down syndrome, providing support to them and their families for greater independence and societal participation.

KDSP serves as a Kashti (boat) for its Family Network, reflecting the organisation’s dedication to helping families navigate the challenges of Down syndrome. Kashti covers six support areas: Khandani Sahara: Family Support, Agaahi: Awareness, Sehat: Healthcare, Hunar: Skills Development, Taleem: Education, and Ibtidai Bunyad: Early Childhood Intervention. By addressing these six areas, KDSP offers comprehensive support to individuals with Down syndrome and their families, while collaborating with educators, healthcare professionals, and the community.

KDSP envisions a society where individuals with Down syndrome are respected, accepted, and included, with opportunities to pursue their goals and contribute to the community.

Q&A Section (Question & Answer)

Here is the question-and-answer session with Tabish Shahzad

Flare: How does KDSP’s founding experience continue to shape its approach to supporting families today?
Tabish Shahzad: KDSP’s founding experience remains central to its work. The lack of reliable information and support once left families helpless after a diagnosis. Today, KDSP ensures families feel supported, informed and understood.
Every family has different needs, so KDSP listens first, responds with empathy, provides accurate information and connects families with appropriate services. Its founding story reminds KDSP that every family deserves dignity, understanding, knowledge and hope.

Flare: What are the key challenges facing Pakistan’s Down syndrome community, and how is KDSP responding?
Tabish Shahzad: More than 3,000 registered individuals reflect both the scale of need and families’ trust in KDSP, while many more may still lack adequate information, healthcare, education and support.
Awareness and stigma remain major challenges, including misconceptions about education, employment and independence. Families also need lifelong healthcare, early intervention, education, skills development and employment opportunities. KDSP therefore works beyond individual services to address attitudes and systems that limit inclusion.

Flare: How does KDSP support families in the crucial period following a Down syndrome diagnosis?
Tabish Shahzad: The period after diagnosis can be overwhelming. Families need information, emotional support and reassurance about their child’s future.
KDSP begins with a Family First Counselling session, where families discuss concerns, understand the journey ahead and learn about healthcare, therapies, financial assistance and counselling.
Humrahi connects new families with experienced parents, offering lived experience, reassurance and hope that professional services alone cannot provide.

Flare: How does KDSP measure the impact and success of its KASHTI programmes?
Tabish Shahzad: KDSP measures progress through annual plans, clear objectives and KPIs. Because healthcare, education, family support, awareness and employment are interconnected, teams collaborate rather than work in isolation.
Beyond numbers, KDSP assesses outcomes such as access to education and therapy, family advocacy, skills and employment among young adults, and greater independence and community participation.
Ultimately, success is measured by meaningful, lasting impact.

Flare: How has KDSP’s partnership with Aga Khan University Hospital improved healthcare access?
Tabish Shahzad: KDSP’s 2017 partnership with Aga Khan University Hospital made healthcare more accessible and coordinated. The one-stop Down syndrome clinic brought multiple specialists together, reducing the burden on families and providing specialised care.
Building on this model, KDSP has partnered with more healthcare institutions and clinics to expand inclusive, affordable and specialised services.

Flare: What reforms are needed to make inclusive education meaningful for children with Down syndrome in Pakistan?
Tabish Shahzad: Inclusion must go beyond school admission. Without trained teachers, learning support, resources and an inclusive culture, admission alone does not ensure meaningful education.
KDSP’s experience shows that children with Down syndrome can learn and participate alongside peers when properly supported. Reform should include clear inclusion standards, teacher training, learning support systems and appropriate resources.
Success should be measured by learning, participation, relationships and opportunities to reach potential—not simply classroom admission.

Flare: How is KDSP expanding access to quality therapy and support for families across Pakistan, especially in underserved areas?
Tabish Shahzad: Families outside KDSP’s centres often struggle to access occupational, speech and physical therapy. KDSP is using technology to extend its reach, including a developing app with therapy videos and developmental milestones for home use.
Phone-based therapist guidance and home plans will provide continued support. KDSP also aims to expand therapist training outside major cities through partnerships with universities, hospitals and training institutions.
Technology can extend reach, but the goal is affordable, quality support regardless of location.

Flare: How is KDSP creating employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome?
Tabish Shahzad: KDSP has seen young people move from skills development into internships and sustainable employment. Examples include Danish at Habib University, Hamza at Bachaa Party and Azrem Nadeem, who secured employment at Studio Seven after internships with Soorty Foundation and Martin Dow.
Through Education for Life, KDSP promotes entrepreneurship and independent livelihoods. Businesses can support inclusion through internships, apprenticeships, inclusive recruitment, staff training and workplaces that recognise abilities rather than disability.

Flare: How can language and media representation help promote dignity, inclusion and equal opportunities for people with Down syndrome?
Tabish Shahzad: Language shapes public attitudes. KDSP discourages harmful terms such as “retarded,” “mad,” “insane,” “pagal,” “abnormal,” and “suffering from” Down syndrome, which can reduce people to their diagnosis.
Down syndrome does not prevent people from studying, working, building careers, forming relationships or pursuing ambitions. KDSP promotes person-first, respectful language and media representation based on dignity rather than pity.

Flare: What is KDSP’s vision for the next five years, and how does it plan to expand support across Pakistan?
Tabish Shahzad: KDSP aims to ensure access to opportunity is not determined by where a person lives. It will strengthen its centres and chapters while expanding into underserved communities and supporting people across the life course—from early intervention and healthcare to education, skills, employment and independent living.
A dedicated mobile app is also being developed to make KDSP’s resources and support more accessible nationwide.
Achieving this vision requires collaboration among government, healthcare institutions, schools, businesses, donors and media. Ultimately, KDSP aims to build an ecosystem where individuals with Down syndrome and their families can access healthcare, education, employment and community participation with dignity and independence.