Senator Khalil Tahir Sandhu chaired the 3rd Punjab Inclusive Governance Summit 2026 at the historic Punjab Assembly, addressing more than 500 participants representing over 90 Union Councils across the province. The gathering brought together local leaders, young activists and civic agents to advance inclusive governance and strengthen democratic engagement at the grassroots.
Senator Sandhu praised the work of Shahid Rehmat and the Youth Development Foundation for successfully implementing the Minority Civic Agents Program, a project supported by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). He highlighted how the programme has built capacity for minority participation and prepared a new cohort of leaders to engage with public institutions.
Emphasising the need for sustained support, he called for targeted efforts to empower the next generation of Minority Civic Agents so they can effectively represent their communities in decision making and public service delivery. Senator Sandhu underlined that inclusive governance is essential for equitable access to services and for strengthening social cohesion across Punjab’s diverse communities.
The summit reinforced the role of youth leadership and community-driven initiatives in promoting minority rights and broader civic participation. Participants committed to continue collaboration with local stakeholders and civil society organisations to expand the reach of the Minority Civic Agents Program and to ensure all communities have equal opportunities to contribute to governance.
