KARACHI: The three-day 7th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Asia Regional Conference concluded on Friday after adopting the ‘Karachi Charter’ emphasising parliaments’ role in peace building, climate action and regional cooperation.

The event, hosted by the Sindh Assembly, brought together 150 delegates from seven countries of the region to discuss key challenges facing parliaments, including trust, inclusion, innovation and peace.

Sindh Assembly Speaker Syed Awais Shah formally unveiled the charter and said that the presence and active participation of delegates was the true success of the conference.

The charter reaffirms commitments to strengthening democratic institutions, restoring public trust, promoting inclusive parliaments, responsible innovations and sustainable peace.

Adopts ‘Karachi Charter’, resolves peace building, climate action and regional cooperation

It emphasises the essential role of parliaments, constitutional supremacy and executive accountability in strengthening democratic systems.

The charter calls for meaningful inclusion of women, youth, persons with disabilities, religious minorities and marginalised groups through reforms in parliamentary rules, public awareness, democracy education and capacity-building initiatives.

It acknowledges the growing impact of technology and artificial intelligence, besides stressing digital governance and open parliamentary initiatives. The charger also underscores countering misinformation hate speech and digital harassment, while safeguarding freedom of expression.

It highlights the parliamentary role in peacebuilding, social cohesion, climate action and protection of climate-vulnerable regions, along with strengthening regional parliamentary cooperation and diplomacy.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the conference as chief guest, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said that parliaments were the most direct bridge between the people and the state.

He congratulated Sindh Assembly Speaker Syed Awais Qadir Shah for successfully hosting the moot and said that the presence of both treasury and opposition leaderships reflected the maturity of democratic institutions and respect for parliamentary traditions.

Mr Shah appreciated the role of the CPA leadership, including its Secretary General Stephen Twigg, in promoting collaboration among legislatures.

Awais Shah said that it was for the first time that the Sindh Assembly hosted an international parliamentary conference.

Stephen Twigg said that the annual CPA Asia Regional Conference represented a positive and significant step for the organisation, adding that the next conference would be held in Sri Lanka.

He said that the CPA’s new strategic plan would be launched in London later this month, providing a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen parliaments by 2030.

Sri Lanka’s Deputy Speaker Dr Rizvi Salih said that given the exceptional standard set by the Sindh Assembly, the CPA conferment in Colombo presented a significant challenge for future hosts.

Maldives Deputy Speaker and CPA International Executive Committee Member from the Asia Region Ahmed Nazim said that his country would host the conference next April, and acknowledged that the current conference has set a benchmark for future hosts.

Speaker of the Perak State Legislative Assembly, Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Mohammad Zahir Bin Abdul Khalid said that detailed discussions were held on public trust in institutions, women and youth participation, digital technology and the role of parliaments in peace and reconciliation.

The closing ceremony was also addressed by Punjab MPA Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Leader of the Opposition in the Sindh Assembly Ali Khurshidi and Balochistan MPA Farah Azeem Shah.

After the ceremony, the delegates visited a “Sindh Cultural Bazaar” set up on the lawns of the Sindh Assembly, showcasing traditional cuisine, handicrafts and cultural artefacts, highlighting Sindh’s rich heritage.

Published in Dawn, February 7th, 2026