10Pearls’ 9th Women Tech Quest – Breaking Barriers and Expanding Horizons

Women Tech Quest (WTQ), Pakistan’s leading tech competition for women, continues to break barriers and create pivotal opportunities in tech. An initiative started by 10Pearls, WTQ provides a platform for women to connect, learn, and compete, with three featured competition tracks – coding, testing, and design – across professional and student categories.

The 9^th edition, held on February 15, 2025, took place across Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad and saw over 3,000 women participants. This year, WTQ expanded beyond its original venues, partnering with leading tech institutions—NUST School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (NUST-SEECS) in Islamabad and the University of Central Punjab (UCP) in Lahore—boosting participation and impact.

A growing legacy

Since its launch in 2017, WTQ has empowered countless women. In 2024, the competition expanded to Costa Rica, marking a milestone in its global outreach. As we approach a decade of impact, WTQ continues to drive innovation, diversity, and professional growth.

“The 9th chapter of Women Tech Quest has solidified our mission in the minds of young, female tech-enthusiasts nationwide. It shows that our vision 9 years ago of creating an inclusive space for women to come forward in tech has come to fruition, and with each year we are breaking barriers and reaching more and more women. Now, all focus is on the next WTQ, marking a decade of empowering women and accelerating careers!”

Syeda Sana Hussain, Head of People & Programs – EMEA, 10Pearlss

Watch the highlights from this impactful event:

Our 2025 winners

Following the competitions, the winners were awarded cash prizes and plaques, with the rest of the participants receiving gift kits and certificates. Let’s recognize the outstanding winners of each category:

Coding

Maryam Nasir
Noor-e-Shaukat
Rafia Ashraf
Sadia Malik

Testing

Nida Rehman
Raveleha Haleem
Asifa Akbar
Manal Amjad
Basirat Zahra

Design

Montane Memon
Mubashira Rauf
Hurmat Zahra
Maheen Rashid
Sameen Ali

“This is the 5th Women Tech Quest that I have attended! Each year I come for the amazing networking opportunities and to put my coding skills to the test. I’m so excited and happy to have won today. I encourage every woman in tech to come to this event. You’ll leave with a bigger network and possibly some prizes!”

Maryam Nasir, Professional Category Coding Winner

Inspiring careers & connections

WTQ isn’t just about competition—it’s a gateway to career growth. The event featured top industry speakers, offering mentorship and career insights. It offers crucial support to university graduates trying to kickstart their careers, facilitates re-entry for women on breaks, and aids mothers returning to work, enhancing gender diversity and inclusion in tech.

In addition to the competitions, WTQ 2025 featured inspirational speakers from diverse industries, including Anne Bracegirdle, Senior Director at 10Pearls; Tabina Islam, CEO of Arfa Karim Foundation and Director of Arfa Karim Technology Incubator; Zainab Saeed, Gender & Financial Inclusion Specialist at The Asian Development Bank; Dr. Sara Saeed Khurram, CEO of Sehat Kahani; Javeria Siddiqui, Chief Financial Officer at Feroze 1888 Mills Limited; Hira Khalil, E-commerce Lead at Dawlance; and Sohail Zindani, Author, Teacher, Entrepreneur, and Disruptor at The Sohail Zindani Company, among others.

Participating in this event can garner awareness and recognition from top companies, offering attendees vital exposure and career advancement opportunities. For the first time, HR Recruiters and Managers from Adamjee Life, a leading Insure-tech company and MG Apparels, a renowned textile company were also present on-ground to interact with the participants and discuss career prospects as well.

“I am truly honored to have been part of Women Tech Quest, an incredible initiative by 10Pearls. This event provided an empowering platform where women could not only showcase their tech skills but also connect with like-minded individuals and inspiring leaders. I’m excited for the future of women in tech, and I can’t wait to see how this initiative continues to inspire and shape careers!”

Hira Khalil, Senior E-commerce Lead, Dawlance

Backed by industry leaders

Leading companies from a range of industries came forth to sponsor the 9^th edition of Women Tech Quest (WTQ) and share its vision of women empowerment. This year, Dawlance, Easypaisa Digital Bank, and Feroze Mills 1888 led as Gold Sponsors, while Adamjee Life, Day Fresh, Hilton Pharma, Bosch Pharmaceuticals and MG Apparels joined as Silver Sponsors. Careem served as the official Travel Sponsor, and Slack partnered as the official Ecosystem Partner. The event also saw collaboration with NUST-SEECS, UCP, P@SHA, and Circle, further strengthening its impact. With the backing of these industry leaders, WTQ continues to drive meaningful change and create new opportunities for women in technology.

“At Adamjee Life, we are proud to collaborate with 10Pearls for Women Tech Quest 2025, an initiative that empowers women in technology and innovation. We believe in fostering inclusivity and providing opportunities that help shape a more diverse and dynamic future in the industry. Through this partnership, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting talent, driving change, and making a meaningful impact in the tech landscape.”

Afnan Khan, Manager Brand Communication & Digital, Adamjee Life

The way forward

Through our unwavering commitment to driving inclusivity and providing opportunities for women to thrive, WTQ stands as a beacon of empowerment, promoting the change necessary to shape a more equitable future in the tech industry. As we set our sights on the 10th edition in 2026, we remain committed to advancing meaningful progress, nurturing talent, and expanding opportunities for women in tech.

By 10Pearls editorial team