Women entrepreneurs honoured at business excellence awards in Peshawar

Women entrepreneurs from various sectors were honoured for their contributions to business, employment, innovation and community development at the Women Business Excellence Awards 2026 organised by the Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Peshawar Division (WCCIPD), here on Tuesday.
The event brought together women entrepreneurs, business leaders, government representatives, development partners and members of the business community to recognise the achievements of women-led enterprises in KP.
The Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award was presented to Fatima Nouman Khan, while several other women entrepreneurs were recognised for their work in manufacturing, services, technology, fashion, training and development, social impact, exports, retail, beauty, organic and natural products, startups and business innovation.
Advisor to the Chief Minister on Finance, KP, Muzzammil Aslam, was the chief guest at the ceremony.
The event was held with the support of UNICEF as the main partner. The UNICEF-WCCIPD CSR Award was presented to Huma Mohsin in recognition of her contribution to corporate social responsibility.
Other award recipients included Nosheen Tahir, Afshan Khan, Kulsoom Sheryar, Mashaal Javed, Tajallah Khalid, Asia Gul, Saima Amjad, Tahira, Hina Saqib, Shazia Chughtai, Samina Ahmad, Saira Gillani, Zaara Imtiaz and Zubia Amir.
Speaking at the ceremony, WCCIPD President Qurat-ul-Ain said women entrepreneurs were making an increasing contribution to the provincial economy and called for an enabling environment to help women-led businesses establish, formalise and expand.
She said women entrepreneurs needed greater access to finance, markets, technology, skills, business networks and institutional support to move from small-scale enterprises towards sustainable and competitive businesses.
Ms Qurat-ul-Ain said women should not be viewed merely as beneficiaries of economic initiatives but as active contributors to employment, investment, innovation, trade and inclusive economic growth.
She stressed the need for stronger collaboration among the government, private sector, financial institutions, development partners and business organisations to create better opportunities for women entrepreneurs.
The Bank of Khyber was recognised as the Silver Partner of the Women Business Excellence Awards 2026.
A jury comprising professionals from business, academia, entrepreneurship and institutional development evaluated the nominees. Special recognition was given to Radoslaw (Radek) Rzehak, Sabrina, Gulmina, Prof Dr Usman Ghani, Asim Ishaq Khan, Rashid Aman and Shazia Atta for their contribution to the evaluation process.
The ceremony also paid tribute to WCCIPD Founder President Sajida Zulfiqar, whose contribution to the establishment and development of the chamber was highlighted through a video and profile presentation.
A tribute was also paid to the late Fitrath Ilyas Bilour, former president, chairperson and patron-in-chief of WCCIPD. The KP Women Legend Award was presented in her memory to Humaira Ghazanfar Bilour and Ambreen Zahid, along with Ghazanfar Bilour, leader of the Businessmen Forum.
Presidents’ Awards were also presented to former WCCIPD presidents Nuzhat Rauf, Nasira Lughmani, Shamama Tul Amber Arbab, Fauzia Innayat, Rukhsana Nadir, Rabail Riaz, Shahida Mazhar and Rabia Basri for their contributions to the chamber.
The chamber said it would continue working with government institutions, financial organisations, development partners and the private sector to improve women’s access to finance, markets, technology, skills and business networks.
It said its objective was not only to increase the number of women entering business but also to help women-led enterprises formalise, grow, create employment, enter new markets and contribute to the provincial and national economy.