Training aimed at equipping digital content
creators with essential skills in financial literacy
online safety, and responsible digital practices
Staff Reporter
Karachi: Bank Alfalah, one of Pakistan’s leading commercial banks, in collaboration with the Center for Excellence in Journalism (CEJ) at IBA Karachi, launched EmpowerED, a five-day training program aimed at equipping digital content creators with essential skills in financial literacy, online safety, and responsible digital practices.
The initiative comes in response to Pakistan’s rapidly growing digital ecosystem. According to the Digital 2025 Global Overview Report, the country had 66.9 million social media user identities as of January 2025—26.4% of the population. In addition, there were 190 million cellular mobile connections, covering over 75% of the population, according to the Global System for Mobile Communications Association.
Recognizing the increasing role of independent digital creators, Bank Alfalah identified a critical need for long-term capacity building in digital literacy and financial fraud prevention.
Comprehensive Curriculum for Responsible Growth
The EmpowerED program offered a hands-on curriculum designed to help participants strengthen their digital presence, engage audiences effectively, and monetize content responsibly. Key topics included budgeting, financial tools for freelancers, platform strategies, responsible behavior online, and digital asset protection.
Participants gained insights into financial responsibilities and learned how to identify and mitigate online threats, helping them navigate the creator economy with greater confidence and security.
Expert Voices and Industry Insights
Shahzeb Jillani, Director at IBA-CEJ, said, “As the media landscape evolves, content creators are playing an increasingly influential role. However, many lack exposure to crucial topics like digital responsibility and financial planning. This initiative bridges that gap by investing in their growth and contributing to a more informed and resilient digital ecosystem in Pakistan.”
Madiha Javed Qureshi, Head of Communications at Bank Alfalah, added, “Empowering communities with financial and digital security knowledge is vital in today’s digital-first world. Our collaboration with IBA-CEJ reflects our commitment to a financially literate and cyber-secure Pakistan.”
Diverse Participation and Real-World Training
The program hosted 15 participants and featured expert-led sessions by leading professionals including Kazi Akber, Riffat Rashid, Faisal Sheikh (Jack of Digital), Mutahir Khan (Data Darbar), Mudabbir Jamil (Head of Cybersecurity, Bank Alfalah), Ahsan Mankee (Head of Learning, Bank Alfalah), Talal Ahsan (iVerify), Ahsan Aghai (Digital Marketing Consultant), and Fariha Aziz (Bolo Bhi).
A Vision for a Responsible Digital Future
This strategic partnership between Bank Alfalah and IBA-CEJ marks a significant step in empowering Pakistan’s digital content creators. The program aims to build a foundation for responsible growth, digital safety, and meaningful participation in the country’s evolving digital economy.
