The Punjab Inclusive Governance Summit 2026 brought together minority civic agents from across the province to promote inclusive governance, civic participation, and peaceful coexistence.
The summit drew participation from parliamentarians, senior government officials, civil society representatives, media professionals, and community leaders, making it one of the largest grassroots minority civic gatherings ever hosted at the Punjab Assembly.
More than 500 civic agents attended the event, with women forming a significant share of participants, reflecting the increasing role of women in civic and community engagement.
Organised by Youth Development Foundation (YDF) under its Minority Civic Agents Program (MCAP), the initiative focused on strengthening democratic representation and enhancing the participation of marginalised communities in governance and decision-making processes.
Organised in collaboration with the Parliamentary Minority Caucus of Punjab, the summit received support from several government departments and agencies, including the Human Rights and Minority Affairs Department, Local Government and Community Development Department, NADRA, WASA, LWMC, and Punjab Police.
Chairing the summit, Senator Khalil Tahir Sandhu praised YDF for its efforts to strengthen democratic participation and minority inclusion.
Secretary General of the Punjab Assembly Chaudhary Amer Habib reaffirmed the assembly’s support for inclusive governance initiatives and stressed the importance of involving marginalised communities in policymaking.
YDF Executive Director Shahid Rehmat acknowledged the support of development partners and institutions, including the National Endowment for Democracy. He also thanked government departments, community leaders, and volunteers for their cooperation in making the initiative successful.
The summit featured two panel discussions focusing on the inclusion of religious minorities and women in governance, as well as improving public service delivery across Punjab. During an interactive question-and-answer session, Minority Civic Agents and community members directly engaged with policymakers, raising concerns regarding minority rights, youth empowerment, and social harmony.
The summit concluded with a renewed commitment to building a more inclusive, representative, and democratic Punjab through stronger civic participation and institutional collaboration.
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