Bilal Farooq Khan is a key figure in the startup ecosystem of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He also has more than 10 years of experience in the field of marketing and communication, with 7 of them in the startup ecosystem of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. As head of  marketing and communications for the National Incubation Center Peshawar, Bilal has taken it upon himself to educate the region's youth regarding innovation and entrepreneurship. In the past five years, he has conducted more than 80 awareness sessions in more than 50 institutes across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reaching out to thousands of students. Bilal is also the founder and Creative Director of 37th Productions, a digital media company specializing in digital content creation. 

IVLP Impact Award Project: WISE: Women's Internet Safety and Empowerment

Through this seminar, participants learned about online safety from cybersecurity experts and industry professionals. Speakers shared their insights on the latest online abuse and cybercrime trends and provided practical tips and strategies for protecting yourself online. Participants were also made aware of their rights under the Pakistan (PECA) Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016. The seminar also included a panel discussion on "Exploring the Digital Frontier: Women's Online Safety in the Age of Fake News and AI." Participants received a comprehensive guide on online safety for women, summarizing the seminar's discussions and providing additional resources for further learning. One participant reflected, "given my role as a monitoring expert, it’s crucial [that] professionals like me be well-informed regarding the challenges of harassment [in the] increasingly digital world."

"The impact of [the] WISE seminar in empowering women and girls against online abuse and cybercrime is truly commendable. [Bilal's] vision and leadership have not only created a safer online space for the participants but have also inspired positive change within our community. It is through initiatives like WISE that we can bridge the digital gender gap and ensure that women have the knowledge and skills to navigate the digital world securely." - Project Partner

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Bilal participated in the IVLP Project Improving the Regulatory Environment for Tech and Start-Up Investment, organized by the U.S. Department of State and CRDF Global in partnership with Global Ties Alabama, World Affairs Council of Kentucky & Southern Indiana, Global Ties Iowa and International Visitors Council, Inc.

Bilal's exchange experience led to the development of his IVLP Impact Award Project: "The sheer number of women working in tech and cyberspace [in the U.S.] was genuinely inspiring. Seeing that, I wanted the same for the women of my country, [so] I designed this project."

US Communities Visited 

Huntsville, AL; Washington, DC; Iowa City, IA; Louisville, KY; Columbus, OH

Country: Pakistan

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