Walija Nisar, alumna of the English Access Program (2017), Summer Sisters Exchange (2019), and Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (2022), successfully led the “AJK Alumni Link-Up” project under PUAN Connects. Held in Islamabad and Muzaffarabad, the project brought together over 100 participants from six districts of North AJK, creating a vibrant platform for collaboration, mentorship, and knowledge exchange.
The initiative featured two virtual workshops with PUAN mentors Mohsin Bin Iqbal (leadership) and Saqib Javed Raja (entrepreneurship and Pakistan-U.S. business ties), followed by an in-person networking session in Muzaffarabad. Together, these activities sparked meaningful discussions and built bridges among alumni, emerging leaders, and young professionals.
One of the most significant outcomes was the launch of new collaborations and mentorship pledges. Alumni such as Junaid Iqbal and Maryam Akbar teamed up to design a project on sexual health and child protection, while Tariq Nakash committed to mentoring students in writing. Yumna Saleem, through her startup Nomaish, pledged to support young women in entrepreneurship. The project also laid the groundwork for the North AJK Entrepreneurial Society, envisioned as a sustainable platform to connect youth with mentors and professionals across districts.
“The sessions on leadership and entrepreneurship were excellent, full of practical insights I can apply in my work. What I valued most was the sense of connection—reuniting with old friends while also building new networks.” – Hamza Katal, Muzaffarabad
“As a young entrepreneur, I found the guidance on accessing international markets especially enriching. It gave me a clearer vision of how to expand beyond local boundaries, inspiring me to think bigger and pursue my journey with more confidence.” – Muqadas Imran, Neelum Valley
Walija shared that collaborating with the U.S. Mission and Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN) was a deeply rewarding experience. The support and credibility of PUAN amplified outreach and strengthened alumni participation, aligning the project with PUAN’s mission of leadership, mentorship, and people-to-people connections between Pakistan and the United States.
Through her dedication, Walija not only created opportunities for immediate growth but also set the foundation for lasting partnerships in youth development and entrepreneurship across AJK.
