In the digital age, freedom of information and the right to access to this information has taken on new dimensions—both empowering citizens and creating complex challenges.

Artificial intelligence both enhances and complicates the freedom of information. While the internet offers powerful tools to access and share knowledge, it also presents new risks to privacy, accuracy, and equity. The challenge for societies is to harness digital advancements to strengthen democratic access to information while guarding against their misuse.

On this World Press Freedom Day, Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan stands as a beacon of empowerment, illustrating how information and education can transform lives. Through its flagship "Bano Qabil" initiative, Alkhidmat is equipping Pakistan's youth with essential IT skills, fostering self-reliance, and contributing to the nation's digital future.  

Alkhidmat Commitments to Transparency

Alkhidmat Foundation maintains a strong commitment to transparency in its operations. The organization has been recognized for setting high standards of service and transparency during humanitarian efforts, including responses to natural disasters and public health crises. Additionally, Alkhidmat's privacy policy outlines how it collects and uses personal information, ensuring users' data is handled responsibly.

Alkhidmat Commitments to Digital Literacy

Alkhidmat Foundation actively empowers communities in Pakistan to utilize technology effectively, fostering transparency and informed decision-making. Through various initiatives, the organization provides digital literacy training, promotes ethical online practices, and ensures that technology serves as a tool for positive social change.

Bridging the Digital Divide

Bridging the digital divide is one of the most pressing challenges of the digital age, as it directly affects education, employment, healthcare access, civic participation, and economic growth. Alkhidmat’s Bano Qabil Program provide affordable or free devices and internet access for low-income families and community-based training and education to build digital skills for all ages.

Through initiatives like "Donate Your Skill," Alkhidmat connects skilled professionals with youth eager to learn, fostering a culture of mentorship and knowledge-sharing. This collaborative approach aims to equip students with essential skills for the future, including proficiency in artificial intelligence, web development, and creative fields like toon design and animation .

Empowering Youth with IT Skills: Bano Qabil

Launched in 2022, the Bano Qabil program has rapidly expanded across Pakistan, offering 100% free, certified IT courses in cities including Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, and Swabi . The program aims to train one million young individuals over the next two years, providing them with skills in areas such as web development, digital marketing, graphic design, freelancing, and e-commerce.

Impact of Alkhidmat's IT Training in the AI Era

Alkhidmat Foundation's IT training initiatives, particularly the "Bano Qabil" program, have profoundly impacted numerous individuals across Pakistan, equipping them with vital digital skills and opening doors to sustainable employment.

Naveed Ali Baig attributes the success of the program to the “vision of Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman,” who wanted to equip youth with modern IT skills. Under his leadership, the Bano Qabil program launched “Bano Qabil 4.0” in 2024, which includes 40 modern courses and 30 training centers. More than 165,000 students have registered in the program, of whom more than 50,000 have completed the training.

According to him, the Bano Qabil program is not only revolutionizing the education of the youth but is also bringing about a positive change in the country’s economy, as the graduates are earning a global income through freelancing.

IT skills empower individuals to become informed citizens and contribute to a more transparent and accountable society. By understanding how to access, evaluate, and share information using digital tools, people can actively participate in democratic processes, hold institutions accountable, and advocate for social change. Moreover, IT literacy helps combat misinformation, supports open communication, and fosters civic engagement in an increasingly digital world.