When the Taliban took over Afghanistan in the 1990s, refugees poured across the border into Pakistan. There’s now more than three million Afghans in Pakistan, about half of them refugees or asylum-seekers.

That puts enormous pressure on communities, and it’s why the International Trade Centre (ITC) works with both refugee and host communities to provide the skills needed to create and grow small businesses.

Mehbooba was born in Pakistan, after her mother fled Afghanistan in 1996. Her father, a medical doctor, had stayed behind.  He was killed in 2002, just months after she was born. Her mother supported the family by tailoring – a skill that Mehbooba is now taking forward her with her business, Qamar StylePlace. Based in Quetta, Balochistan, she designs traditional handicrafts, fashion and marketing. With her business, she wants to become economically independent and support other refugees in Balochistan. 

Like many refugees, she needed more digital skills to grow her business, so that she could leverage online tools for marketing, sales, and customer engagement. She learned the skills she needed by attending a digital and enterprise development training, run by the ITC Refugees & Trade Programme, with support from the Visa Foundation, in September 2024. 

Now she’s a flourishing entrepreneur in Quetta, with her business thriving, empowering other young women and fulfilling her dreams of improving life for other refugees.

During the training, Mehbooba gained valuable insights into establishing a strong brand identity, marketing products online, and leveraging digital platforms effectively. Inspired and motivated, she immediately applied her newfound skills to her business. Mehbooba designed a professional logo and business card, transformed her Facebook page, and launched her own YouTube channel.

‘The impact was incredible—my online presence grew, attracting new customers and increasing sales. Today, my business is flourishing in ways I never imagined,’ she said. ‘What once seemed like small steps—creating a brand, engaging online, and using digital marketing—turned into powerful tools that helped me expand my reach. This experience proved to me that with the right training and skills, young women entrepreneurs like me can turn dreams into reality.’ 

Host communities equally important

The training also works with host communities, so that their businesses grow too. This dual approach to the training brings together refugees and Pakistanis, creating a common interest in a shared economic future.

Jamal Nasir owns Nasir Add (Fidai Digital Arts), a printing and graphic design business. He’s utilized his skills to enhance his online presence, run targeted advertisements, and use effective marketing strategies.  

After the training, Nasir put his new skills to the test, revamped his Facebook page and launched a series of targeted ads. ‘The results were immediate, I saw a surge in engagement and viewership like never before,’ said Nasir. 

‘A major breakthrough came when Sultanat Marquee Quetta, a prominent event centre in the city, noticed my online promotions. Impressed by my work, they placed a major order for the Quetta Food Festival, commissioning my business to brand food stalls, design banners, and install streamers across the city. This was a game-changer. Not only did it boost my business financially, but it also gave me the confidence to explore even bigger opportunities,’ said Nasir.

About the project

Kenya and Pakistan: Creating digital entrepreneurship opportunities for refugees promotes economic empowerment activities through support in digital service sector to increase income and business opportunities for refugees and MSMEs, with particular focus on women and youth, in Kenya and Pakistan. It is implemented under the Refugees and Trade Programme.

See more of our work at our Refugees & Trade page.

June 2025, Quetta, Pakistan – Jamal Nasir carefully cuts out a large printed banner in his workshop, showcasing his skill in graphic production and designs.

Quetta, Pakistan – Mehbooba's business is thriving, empowering other young women and fulfilling her dreams of improving life for other refugees.