Summary
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati has received the 2026 Global Parliamentary Equality and Diversity Award for promoting greater parliamentary participation of women, minorities, children and young people.
- Speaking after receiving the award, Ahmed Kundi said the international recognition reflected the growing global acknowledgment of the KP Assembly’s parliamentary work.
- The award has also brought attention to initiatives within the KP Assembly aimed at expanding the role of underrepresented groups in legislative and parliamentary processes.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati has received the 2026 Global Parliamentary Equality and Diversity Award for promoting greater parliamentary participation of women, minorities, children and young people.
The award was presented on September 17 during the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Cape Town, South Africa. It recognised initiatives linked to parliamentary inclusion and efforts aimed at giving representation to diverse sections of society within the provincial legislature.
Speaker Babar Saleem Swati could not attend the conference in person due to legal complications related to his passport. Member of the Provincial Assembly Ahmed Kundi and KP Assembly Secretary Syed Waqar Shah represented him at the event and received the award on his behalf.
According to the details shared in connection with the honour, the KP Assembly’s work to promote inclusive parliamentary participation played a key role in the recognition. The establishment and functioning of parliamentary caucuses representing different sections of society also contributed to the award.
The assembly has also undertaken initiatives related to water, sanitation and hygiene, which were highlighted among the efforts supporting broader community-focused parliamentary engagement.
Speaking after receiving the award, Ahmed Kundi said the international recognition reflected the growing global acknowledgment of the KP Assembly’s parliamentary work. He said the honour represented recognition not only for the speaker but also for the provincial legislature and its efforts to strengthen participation across different segments of society.
The recognition came as parliamentarians from Commonwealth member states gathered in Cape Town for discussions on parliamentary practices, democratic institutions, representation and governance.
The award has also brought attention to initiatives within the KP Assembly aimed at expanding the role of underrepresented groups in legislative and parliamentary processes.
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