ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government is poised to approve the country’s first-ever Women Entrepreneurship Development Policy (WEP) in the coming days—an initiative aimed at bringing nearly half of Pakistan’s population into the formal productive economy.
Officials believe the policy will spur the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and cottage industries by empowering women-led businesses.
While the policy is expected to sail through federal approval, the greater challenge lies in persuading provinces to adopt it uniformly and eliminating overlapping mandates for smooth implementation.
According to policymakers, the WEP seeks to establish an equitable and inclusive business environment for women entrepreneurs. It proposes enabling informal women workers to transition into the formal economy, introducing new corporate structures for small business owners, reducing regulatory hurdles, and developing supportive fiscal policies that promote ease of doing business.
A major focus of the policy is women’s financial inclusion. It recommends dedicated financing facilities, expansion of federal and provincial support programmes, and strict implementation of the State Bank of Pakistan’s gender equality policy across all banks.
Officials note that the biggest obstacles for women-led SMEs and cottage industries extend beyond financial constraints and security concerns. A persistent lack of institutional support, fragmented government responsibilities, and scattered policymaking have hindered sustained progress.
The policy also emphasises improved market access by proposing display centres, exhibition spaces, and targeted platforms for women. It highlights the need for strong institutional backing to tackle cross-sector challenges, including support for high-growth women entrepreneurs in technology through women-specific incubators, technology parks, and a dedicated Women’s Entrepreneurship Platform.
A major gap identified is the lack of digital visibility among women’s chambers of commerce. Out of 28 such chambers across the country, most do not have functional websites or promotional portals showcasing their members’ businesses.
According to Dawn, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industry, Haroon Akhtar Khan, acknowledged that women-led businesses are still perceived as secondary income sources or side ventures to male-dominated family enterprises.
He said the relocation of the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (Smeda) headquarters from Lahore to Islamabad will foster closer engagement with policymakers and stakeholders. Implementing the WEP, he added, will accelerate women’s participation in business.
He stressed that women entrepreneurs must embrace digital tools, formalise their businesses, and actively participate in chambers of commerce—particularly women’s chambers—to amplify their voices.
However, the establishment of Women Chambers of Commerce and Industry (WCCIs) has sparked friction within the business community. Existing chambers often view WCCIs as rivals rather than partners.
Samina Fazil, President and founding member of Islamabad WCCI, said most WCCIs operate from rented offices and lack essential government support. She added that mainstream chambers offer only limited representation for women and often discourage membership in women-specific chambers.
Similarly, Lahore WCCI President Falahat Imran said WCCIs continue to struggle for equal recognition. “The reality is that we are on our own,” she noted, adding that despite challenges, WCCIs remain committed to moving forward.
Membership retention remains low due to cultural norms that restrict women’s independent participation in business and leadership roles. Male-dominated industries also show reluctance in collaborating with women-led enterprises.
Experts emphasise that structural fragmentation—rather than lack of financing or safety alone—remains the biggest impediment. While Smeda falls under the Ministry of Industries, the banking sector has a separate regulator, and chambers and export affairs fall under the Ministry of Commerce.
Meanwhile, law and order responsibilities lie with provincial entities. This patchwork of authorities has made it difficult to align federal and provincial objectives under a unified vision—one of Pakistan’s longstanding governance challenges.
