From 3 to 7 February 2026, Karachi—the capital of Sindh—hosted a landmark parliamentary event as the Provincial Assembly of Sindh successfully convened the 7th CPA Asia Regional Conference, alongside the Joint CPA Asia and South-East Asia Regional Conference 2026. Held under the auspices of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), the conference marked a significant milestone in Pakistan’s parliamentary diplomacy and reinforced Sindh’s role as a hub of democratic dialogue in the region.
The high-level gathering brought together over 150 Speakers, Deputy Speakers, parliamentarians, and senior parliamentary officials from Asia and South-East Asia. Their presence reflected the growing importance of regional cooperation in addressing shared democratic, political, and governance challenges.
The central theme of the conference—“Future Parliaments: Reimagining Democracy through Trust, Inclusion, Innovation and Peace”—captured the collective aspirations of member legislatures. It emphasized the need to strengthen democratic institutions while responding effectively to emerging regional and global challenges.
The inaugural session was presided over by Syed Awais Qadir Shah, Speaker of the Sindh Assembly, who warmly welcomed national and international delegations. In his opening address, he highlighted Sindh’s rich historical heritage, culture of tolerance, pluralism, and deep-rooted democratic values. He stressed that parliaments are custodians of peace, inclusion, and public trust, and that CPA forums play a vital role in promoting mutual learning, dialogue, and collective action.
The chief guest, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, underscored the importance of parliamentary cooperation, youth engagement, and innovation. He noted that parliaments must continuously evolve to meet the expectations of citizens in an ever-changing world.
In his keynote address, Dr. Christopher Kalila, Chairperson of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, emphasized that transparency, inclusion, and ethical leadership are foundational pillars for future parliaments. He reaffirmed CPA’s unwavering commitment to strengthening democratic institutions across the Commonwealth.
Throughout the conference, a wide range of substantive sessions explored key issues related to modern governance. One session focused on restoring public trust and parliamentary dignity, where participants exchanged views on enhancing transparency, accountability, and ethical parliamentary conduct as means to rebuild citizens’ confidence in democratic systems.
Another session on parliamentary education and democratic values highlighted civic education and public awareness as powerful tools for promoting democratic culture, with particular emphasis on structured parliamentary education programs.
A highly engaging session on fake news, artificial intelligence, and democracy, chaired by Dr. Sharmila Faruqui (MNA), featured participation from Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Nazim Ahmed, Deputy Speaker of the Maldives, and other international delegates. Speakers warned that misinformation, deepfakes, and the misuse of artificial intelligence pose serious threats to democratic processes if left unchecked.
Discussions on climate change and vulnerable communities focused on climate legislation, disaster preparedness, and environmental justice, particularly for regions most affected by climate-induced challenges. Similarly, the session on accountability and responsible governance highlighted the critical role of parliamentary oversight bodies, including Public Accounts Committees.
The conference also addressed gender, technology, and trust, with in-depth deliberations on protecting women parliamentarians from online harassment and digital violence. Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon shed light on governance challenges arising from rapid technological advancement.
Prominent national leaders also shared their perspectives. Mian Raza Rabbani, former Chairman of the Senate, emphasized constitutional supremacy and dialogue as guarantees of democratic stability. Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, described parliaments as centers for peace-building and conflict resolution. Babar Saleem Swati, Speaker of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, praised the Sindh Assembly for its exemplary hosting and leadership.
Delegates from Sri Lanka, Maldives, Malaysia, Bangladesh, and other countries shared experiences and best practices. A strong consensus emerged on combating fake news, regulating artificial intelligence, addressing climate change, and countering online gender-based violence. Renewed emphasis was placed on parliamentary education, public participation, and accountability.
At the concluding session, participants unanimously adopted the Karachi Declaration, reaffirming commitments to:
- Strengthening democratic institutions through constitutionalism, rule of law, and accountability
- Ensuring inclusion of women, youth, minorities, and persons with disabilities
- Promoting responsible and ethical use of digital technologies
- Advancing peace and regional cooperation through parliamentary diplomacy
- Enacting effective legislation to combat climate change
In his closing remarks, Speaker Syed Awais Qadir Shah expressed gratitude to the CPA leadership, international delegations, and organizing teams, expressing hope that the Karachi Declaration would serve as a practical roadmap for member parliaments.
The CPA Asia leadership praised the Sindh Assembly’s outstanding hospitality and arrangements, announcing that the next CPA Asia Regional Conference will be held in Sri Lanka.
