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 9th 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.
Syeda Sana HussainHead of People & Programs – EMEA, 10Pearls
“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!
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!"
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!”
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!"
A standout example of Women Tech Quest’s impact is Bushra Hassan. A recent graduate navigating the job market, Bushra found her breakthrough with WTQ in 2022. Today, she thrives as a Senior UI/UX professional at 10Pearls. Bushra’s success is a living testament to WTQ’s transformative power as she continues to champion the platform that propelled her career forward.
Bushra HassanSenior UI/UX Designer, 10Pearls
“Women Tech Quest was a game-changer in my career journey. It taught me to step out of my comfort zone and equipped me with the skills and confidence to excel in my career. I am proud to join the company behind this incredible initiative and contribute to empowering other women with invaluable opportunities.
Backed by industry leaders
Leading companies from a range of industries came forth to sponsor the 9th 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 and Hilton Pharma 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."
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.
