Islamabad ; UK Parliament welcomed a delegation from Pakistan’s Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC). Led by WPC Secretary Dr. Shahida Rehmani, MNA, the visit facilitated knowledge-sharing on women’s political participation, inclusive governance, and cross-party collaboration.
Delegates shared expertise across sessions. Shahida Rehmani and Nikhat Shakeel Khan introduced parliamentary processes; Saira Afzal Tarar discussed cross-party collaboration; Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar reflected on challenges for newly elected women MPs; Mussarrat Asif Khawaja on parliamentary standards; Naeema Kishwar Khan on evidence-gathering; Mahtab Akbar Rashdi on online abuse and violence against women in politics; and Tahira Aurangzeb with Rehmani on gender-responsive budgeting.
The Pakistani delegation included senior MNAs: Tahira Aurangzeb, Mahtab Akbar Rashdi, Naeema Kishwar Khan, Mussarrat Asif Khawaja, Saira Afzal Tarar; as well as Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, MNA; Nikhat Shakeel Khan, MNA; and Ms. Minail Khan, Chief Technical Advisor to the National Assembly.
Minail Khan briefed UK parliamentarians on the evolution of Pakistan’s Women’s Parliamentary Caucus, from its origins under the country’s first female Prime Minister to its formal establishment in 2008 under the first woman Speaker, highlighting its milestones, challenges, and institutional growth.
Several UK Parliamentarians said they wished more of their colleagues had witnessed the exchange, noting that the experience had strengthened their determination to establish a women’s caucus in the UK. They added that they were deeply impressed by the progress and achievements of Pakistan’s Women’s Parliamentary Caucus.
The visit concluded with the signing of a Joint Communique between the UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls, Baroness Harriet Harman KC, and the Pakistani delegation. The communique commits both sides to: champion women’s rights and agency, advance legislation and policies supporting equality, eradicate violence and discrimination, promote women’s political participation and leadership, and ensure universal access to education and healthcare for all women and girls. Delegates pledged to stand in solidarity and sisterhood, supporting each other as part of a global alliance of women leaders and allies.
Dr. Rehmani expressed confidence that the visit would strengthen parliamentary leadership and advance women’s political participation. “This exchange is a testament to the power of peer-to-peer learning and shared commitment to building stronger, more inclusive legislatures,” she said.
The visit marks a milestone in UK–Pakistan parliamentary relations and a model for advancing women’s leadership within democratic institutions.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
