Speakers at a summit called for promoting tolerance, interfaith harmony, minority inclusion, religious freedom and youth participation to strengthen social cohesion and peaceful coexistence.
The Youth Development Foundation (YDF), in collaboration with the Multi-Faith Neighbours Network (MFNN) and the Senate of Pakistan, organised the International Tolerance Summit 2026 at the Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services (PIPS) in Islamabad.
More than 75 parliamentarians, religious leaders, diplomats, civil society representatives, youth leaders and members of different faith communities attended the summit.
YDF Executive Director Shahid Rehmat said tolerance must move beyond conferences and translate into acceptance, trust and practical action at the grassroots level.
Senator Khalil Tahir Sandhu stressed the need for sustained cooperation between Parliament, government institutions, religious leaders and civil society to promote equal citizenship and meaningful participation of minority communities.
MFNN founder and CEO Pastor Dr Bob Roberts Jr. called for interfaith engagement to extend beyond dialogue forums into friendship, community service and practical cooperation.
Senator Danesh Kumar, chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Minority Caucus, highlighted Parliament’s role in protecting minority rights and promoting inclusion and equal representation.
The summit featured a panel discussion on “The Significance of Tolerance in Interfaith Harmony”, followed by a question-and-answer session on religious freedom, minority inclusion, youth engagement and grassroots peacebuilding.
As a key outcome, YDF, MFNN and participating parliamentarians and faith leaders agreed to work towards a joint national initiative on tolerance and interfaith harmony, with a focus on youth engagement, grassroots dialogue and cooperation among diverse faith communities.
The summit concluded with shields being presented to distinguished participants.
