In this latest series of articles, we publish interviews of women working as professionals or students in the technology sector. The objective is to highlight their work and contribution to the industry and the community.
In these interviews, you will find women working in technology to solve real-world problems, break stereotypes, and create the next big impact on the tech industry. This series of interviews shows that even with the lowest rate of women participation in the labor market in Pakistan, there are still many smart women who are creating and using technology to work wonders.
Today, we are featuring Yusra Elahi. Read on to learn more about her work and get inspired.
1.Tell us a little about yourself, your background, your education, and your work.
For 16 years, Jeddah was home. My safe place. Life revolved around school and close friends. But writing? That was always there. Even when I was seven, scribbling down random thoughts that probably made no sense. But it wasn’t until I moved to Karachi that it became something more. I thought I’d settle in easily, but the reality didn’t match the picture in my head. Writing went from being a hobby to a survival tool – a way to process everything I was feeling but couldn’t say out loud.
Back then, freelancing wasn’t even a thing, but somehow, I was already leaning into it. In 2011, I got my first paid writing gig – 100 rupees per article. It sounds ridiculous now, but back then, it felt like a win. Because, for the first time, my words had value.
That tiny start led me to copywriting, working with Pakistani firms before finally taking the leap into freelancing. And that changed everything. What started as a small step turned into a career that’s taken me across borders. I’m proud to share that I’ve been copywriting for over 14 years now, working with international clients across 200+ cities. It wasn’t the easy, comfortable path, but it was mine. And once I got a taste of that freedom, there was no going back.
2. What are your future plans/aspirations? How will it impact the community/society/your team/your project?
After 14 years in copywriting and email marketing, I know I have a LOT to share. This field has given me freedom, flexibility, and the ability to build a career on my own terms – and I want more women to have that.
I deeply believe that every woman deserves to be financially free – to have the power to make her own choices, support herself, and never feel stuck because of money. That’s why I want to bring more women into this space – whether through mentorship, training or just showing them what’s possible.
At the same time, I know growth never stops. Personally, I plan to upgrade my skills, dive deeper into AI, and learn how to integrate it into my work – not to replace creativity, but to enhance it.
Oh, and I’m also working on launching my own boutique marketing agency. It’s already in the works!
3. Please brag about your career accomplishments. What are the things you are proud of?
Talking about myself like this feels weird… I’ve never been the one to shout about my achievements. I’ve always kept my head down and done the work.
But I do remember a time when everything just collapsed (financially and emotionally). No safety net, no backup plan. It was just me, figuring things out as I went. No mentor is holding my hand – just a whole lot of trial and error.
And you know what? It paid off.
One of my proudest moments? Funding my own girl’s trip to Dubai. Something I used to only dream about – I made happen on my own.
Now, I get to buy my own gadgets, upgrade my workspace, and invest in tools that make me better at what I do. But that’s not even the best part… The freedom to help others without needing anyone’s approval. To say yes when someone needs support. To give, to contribute, to make an impact – without waiting for permission. That, to me, is the BIGGEST blessing.
Right now, I’m helping a company generate $50,000+ in campaign revenue with just emails. Watching my words turn into actual results – that’s the kind of success I live for.
4. What has been your best education/career decision, and why?
Best decision? Not waiting for someone to tell me I was “qualified” enough.
I don’t have a degree in English Literature, but I never let that hold me back. English wasn’t even my favorite subject! I used to think qualifications mattered most, but over time, I realized skills are everything.
And if I didn’t know something? I figured it out.
I’ve never been the type to say, “I can’t do this” to a client. Whether it was the techie stuff like coding or complete website revamps — if it needed to be done, I made it happen. Reddit, YouTube, trial and error – whatever it took, I’d find my way. And I’m proud of that.
5. What are the best lessons you’ve learned?
If there’s one thing I swear by, it’s this: never let where you are limit what you can do. I didn’t let my location – or anything else – decide my worth. I charged what my work deserved, not what my surroundings expected. And that made all the difference. Lesson #2 is definitely going to be – say yes first, then learn how. I’ve taken on projects that seemed way out of my league – tech-heavy stuff, coding, complex strategies – but I figured it out. That willingness to learn on the fly is what helped me grow.
6. Which woman inspires you and why?
Now, this is a tough one! I can’t pick just one. Because every woman I meet has something that inspires me. The way she cares for her family, the way she shows up for her aging parents, the way she cooks with love, the way she manages a hundred things at once without breaking stride – I see them, and they inspire me every single day. It’s never just one woman. It’s all of them.
7. Do you think Pakistan has changed as a society in terms of accepting career-oriented women? What needs to change to help more women come forward?
Pakistan has definitely come a long way, but let’s be honest – women’s businesses are still not taken as seriously as they should be.
Women selling handmade products? “Bas time pass kar rahi hai.”
Running a successful online store? “Oh, it’s just a small thing from home.”
Building a six-figure freelance career? “But is it a real job?”
That mindset needs to change. Women are building brands, creating jobs, and contributing to the economy — yet their work is often dismissed as a hobby. If we want more women to step forward, we need to start recognizing and respecting their work. Encourage them, invest in them, and stop treating their ambitions like an afterthought. Because when a woman decides to succeed, she doesn’t just change her own life; she changes generations.
8. What will be the biggest challenge for the generation of women behind you?
The biggest challenge for the next generation of women? Not just breaking in – but staying in.
We’ve fought to create space for women in business, freelancing, and leadership, but the real struggle is being taken seriously once we get there. The next generation will have to deal with that same skepticism – clients questioning their rates, families wondering if their work is just a phase, and society still expecting them to prioritize everything but their careers.
And let’s talk about staying relevant. The world is moving fast – AI, automation, new tech – if you’re not learning, you’re falling behind. Women can’t afford to be left out of these conversations. The key? Financial independence, adaptability, and confidence. Knowing your worth, charging for it, and refusing to shrink yourself just to make others comfortable.
9. What would it be if you could change one thing about the tech industry/business?
If I could change one thing about the tech industry – I’m gonna list two, actually – it would be micromanagement and the limitations that hold people back.
Tech is supposed to be about innovation, problem-solving, and pushing boundaries – but too often, companies box people into rigid roles, stifle creativity, and slow down real progress. Instead of trusting skilled professionals to do what they do best, there’s this constant need to control every little detail.
Imagine how much more efficient, creative, and productive teams would be if companies focused on results instead of obsessing over processes. Less micromanagement, more trust. Less red tape more freedom to experiment. That’s how real innovation happens.
10. How can WomenInTechPK help you and other women?
WomenInTechPK is already doing an AMAZING job – creating a space where women, in general, feel seen, heard, and supported. Just the fact that you have this beautiful platform where you feature women’s work makes me SO happy… and guilty.
Happy – because this is exactly what we need. A space where women are recognized, celebrated, and given the opportunities they deserve. Seeing other women thrive and watching their work get the spotlight it deserves – fills me with so much joy.
Guilty – because I feel like I should be doing more. Like there’s always more I could contribute, more women I could support, more impact I could create. Some days, I feel like I’m just scratching the surface. But I remind myself that even small efforts count. That every woman we uplift, every opportunity we create, every bit of encouragement we share – it all adds up.
You can follow Yusra Elahi using her profile(s) below, and please do not hesitate to hire her for your next project.
Website: https://yusraelahi.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yusra_elahi/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yusra-elahi-6700ab110/
