Dhanote, a modest town in South Punjab, is fast becoming a regional blueprint for digital transformation. What was once a largely agrarian community is now emerging as a digital-forward zone—thanks to local internet initiatives, public-private collaborations, and the dedication of its youth. From tech-based education to e-commerce startups, Dhanote’s economy is being reshaped through smart connectivity solutions and grassroots innovation.
In the early stages, lack of high-speed connectivity was a bottleneck. Today, thanks to community-focused investments like Internet in Dhanote, the town is thriving as a micro-innovation hub, supporting freelancing, online education, and digital entrepreneurship.
Digital Infrastructure: The Backbone of Economic Growth
Quick Answer: Dhanote’s tech-driven economy is built on reliable internet infrastructure.
With the introduction of fiber-optic networks, Wi-Fi zones, and mobile broadband towers, Dhanote now enjoys some of the fastest and most affordable internet services in South Punjab.
Highlights:
Over 80% household internet penetration in urban Dhanote
Internet-enabled classrooms in public schools
4G and 5G testbeds via collaboration with telecoms
The transformation is not accidental. Backed by local initiatives and supported by Ignite’s National Grassroots ICT R&D Fund, these projects are enabling remote work, small-scale e-commerce, and access to global education platforms.
Empowering Youth Through Digital Skills Training
Quick Answer: Local training centers are upskilling Dhanote’s youth for the global digital market.
To meet the growing demand for tech-savvy professionals, youth-focused training programs have been launched in collaboration with NAVTTC, STZA, and other government bodies. These include:
Coding bootcamps in partnership with PITB
Freelance training modules (Fiverr, Upwork, Guru)
Graphic design and digital marketing short courses
Across Dhanote, Multan, and Bahawalpur, hundreds of students have completed these certifications and entered the freelancing workforce, contributing to the digital economy from their homes.
“We believe every town like Dhanote can become a digital powerhouse with the right internet infrastructure,” says a hypothetical CEO of Ignite.
Local Freelancing Boom in South Punjab
Quick Answer: Reliable internet access has unlocked income potential through freelancing platforms.
Before 2020, freelance work was rare in Dhanote. Today, it’s an economic lifeline for many families. A recent study by the Pakistan Software Export Board revealed:
40% increase in freelance registrations in South Punjab in 2023
Dhanote-based freelancers earned over PKR 30 million last year
Majority work in web development, SEO, and content writing
Young women, often restricted from traveling to major cities, now earn independently from home, enabled by seamless internet connectivity.
E-Commerce and Online Business Expansion
Quick Answer: Dhanote’s local sellers are leveraging e-commerce platforms for wider reach.
Thanks to digital literacy programs and robust internet access, small businesses in Dhanote are thriving online. Examples include:
Handmade clothing sellers using Instagram and Daraz
Local grocery stores offering same-day WhatsApp delivery
Agriculture input vendors providing crop updates via mobile apps
These micro-entrepreneurs are proving that you don’t need to be in a metropolitan area to scale your business—just a strong internet connection and digital mindset.
Project in Dhanote: Connecting the Future
Quick Answer: Infrastructure and community-focused initiatives are the key to sustainable digital development.
One key Project in Dhanote focuses on holistic digital development—bringing together private ISPs, educational institutions, and local government. This initiative has:
Digitized over 10 public schools
Provided subsidized Wi-Fi to 500+ families
Created 3 digital learning hubs across town
These centers not only offer free internet but also organize workshops, hackathons, and career counseling sessions in partnership with tech universities from Multan and Bahawalpur.
Women-Led Tech Participation in South Punjab
Quick Answer: Inclusive access to the internet has empowered women in Dhanote’s digital space.
Female participation in the workforce is climbing in Dhanote, largely due to digital inclusion efforts. Thanks to community projects and safe co-working zones:
Women are learning remote content writing, VA services, and graphic design
Internet centers provide childcare corners to enable mothers to learn and work
Local NGOs host women-only digital literacy events regularly
Empowering women through digital tools is directly linked to increased household incomes and local GDP growth.
Government Programs Accelerating Digital Transformation
Quick Answer: STZA, PITB, and Ignite are actively reshaping Dhanote’s digital ecosystem.
Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) has proposed extending its zone model to smaller towns like Dhanote, with benefits including:
Tax exemptions for tech startups
Access to capital through government-backed loans
Global investor matchmaking via digital expos
Similarly, PITB has launched eRozgaar Centers in nearby cities to support job creation. Ignite continues to fund community-level R&D, particularly around rural internet deployment and inclusive tech access.
Educational Uplift Through EdTech
Quick Answer: Online education is enabling rural students to access quality learning resources.
Internet projects in Dhanote have transformed how students learn:
Government schools now use smartboards and Google Classrooms
Private tutors teach coding and math via Zoom
Virtual academies offer test prep for MDCAT and CSS
Parents report improved academic outcomes, and many students from Dhanote are now securing spots in top universities in Multan and Lahore, thanks to digital access.
Dhanote as a Model for Rural Digitization
Quick Answer: Dhanote’s success can be replicated in other underdeveloped towns across Pakistan.
The digital ecosystem here has followed a repeatable model:
Local infrastructure development
Community engagement and training
Government facilitation
Entrepreneurial encouragement
Similar initiatives in towns like Lodhran, Vehari, and Rajanpur are beginning to mimic Dhanote’s playbook, proving its impact is scalable beyond local borders.
FAQs
1. How is the internet in Dhanote helping local businesses?
It enables online sales, remote service delivery, and access to global markets, allowing even small businesses to scale.
2. What types of digital training are available in Dhanote?
Courses include freelancing, web development, digital marketing, and e-commerce operations.
3. Are women participating in Dhanote’s internet economy?
Yes, many women are engaged in content writing, virtual assistance, and design, working from home.
4. Is the government supporting internet projects in Dhanote?
Yes, through STZA, Ignite, and PITB programs aimed at connectivity and skill development.
5. Can rural students access online education?
Absolutely. With better internet, students now use virtual academies and smart tools for learning.
6. What challenges remain for Dhanote’s internet economy?
Power outages and affordability in remote areas remain concerns, but progress is steady.
7. Can this model work in other towns?
Yes, Dhanote serves as a template for scalable rural digitization across Pakistan.
Final Thought
As someone who’s lived and worked in South Punjab, I see Dhanote not just as a town, but as a symbol of digital resilience. Where once geography limited opportunity, internet access has become the great equalizer. From skilled freelancers to empowered women and budding tech entrepreneurs, Dhanote’s people are proving that digital success isn’t confined to major cities.