Mr. Sajid Sandhu, President I-LAP-US and Chairman IRF PBF-Pakistan & South Asia, attended the IRF Roundtable in Washington, D.C. The roundtable brought together leaders and advocates working to advance international religious freedom, with a focus on strengthening collaboration between the U.S. Government, policymakers, civil society, and the global IRF network.

Discussions included updates from the State Department’s IRF Office, USCIRF, the IRF Secretariat, Congressional and Democracies Working Groups, as well as developments concerning India, Pakistan, Japan and South Korea, Qatar, Cuba, and the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. The gathering also featured a special briefing by Attorney John Lauro on a shared initiative addressing concerns surrounding the misuse of the federal forced-labor statute and its potential implications for religious and spiritual practice in the United States.

Mr. Sajid Sandhu, President, I-LAP-US/Pak and Chairman IRF PBF-Pakistan & South Asia, presented an award to Mr. Greg Mitchell, Founder & CEO and Board Chair of the IRF Secretariat and Co-Chair of the IRF Roundtable, on behalf of I-LAP-US/PAK, in recognition of his tireless efforts, dedicated leadership, and steadfast commitment to advancing international religious freedom. Following the launch of the International Religious Freedom Peace Builders Forum in the United States, I-LAP was selected to represent the Forum in Pakistan and lead the IRF PBF–Pakistan initiative, which was officially launched in Islamabad in August 2026. I-LAP is deeply grateful for Mr. Mitchell’s continued support, encouragement, and confidence in its peacebuilding work. The award is a heartfelt expression of I-LAP’s appreciation for his leadership, partnership, and continued encouragement.

Mr. Sajid Sandhu, President I-LAP-US/Pakistan and Chairman IRF PBF-Pakistan & South Asia participated in the Religious Freedom Conference organized by Universal Peace Federation (UPF) in Washington D.C. These engagements provide valuable opportunities to build relationships and exchange perspectives on religious freedom. At the conference, he had the opportunity to meet Ambassador Randy Evans, former U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg (2018–2021).

The Interfaith League Against Poverty (I-LAP) and Peace Builders Forum Pakistan marked International Day of Peace 2026 under the theme “From Dialogue to Action,” bringing together diverse voices to turn dialogue and consultation into research, policy engagement, and practical recommendations.

The Women Empowerment Program was launched in June 2026 with the aim of equipping women from economically disadvantaged households with practical knowledge, awareness, and confidence to navigate everyday challenges. Many seemingly ordinary issues can become overwhelming, and a lack of information or exposure can leave women vulnerable to exploitation. The program seeks to help women better understand their rights, make informed decisions, and respond to challenges with greater confidence. To date, I-LAP-Pakistan, in collaboration with I-LAP-US, has successfully conducted seven training sessions, conducted by Nazia Ansari, Executive Director, I-LAP-Pakistan, which cover a range of practical areas including personal development, leadership, health and well-being, financial literacy and family life. I-LAP provides transportation to and from the training venue, along with refreshments at the conclusion of each session.

The 15-day I-LAP Peace Youth Club (PYC) Summer Internship, held from 15–31 July 2026, kept seven young Christian interns actively engaged in learning, reflection, service, and community interaction. The program combined practical training with meaningful exposure to issues affecting individuals and communities. The interns received training in Peacebuilding and Interfaith Harmony; Human Rights and Religious Freedom; Health & Hygiene; Substance-Abuse Awareness; Community Service Through Education; Professional Ethics; Cyber Security; Self Awareness & Self Protection. They visited Faisal Mosque and interacted with Islamic scholars at the International Islamic University, visited a rehabilitation facility and participated in a substance-abuse awareness session, where they spoke with counsellors and people recovering from addiction. As part of their community service, the interns conducted a needs-assessment visit to a low-income settlement in Islamabad, listening to residents and learning about their concerns and priorities. They also volunteered at a community school, sharing what they had learned. The internship provided the young participants with a valuable opportunity to move beyond classroom learning, develop empathy and practical skills, and experience the importance of responsible citizenship and service to others.

Ms. Nazia Ansari, Executive Director I-LAP-Pak and Vice Chairperson IRF PBF-Pakistan & South Asia, was invited as a panelist representing the Civil Society at the launch of the Islamabad Declaration for Peace and Harmony, organized by Muhammad Israr Madani, Founder & President, of the International Research Council for Religious Affairs (IRCRA). The keynote speakers were Dr. Qibla Ayaz, Member, Shariat Appellate Bench, Supreme Court of Pakistan, and Muhammad Adnan Qadri, Provincial Minister for Auqaf, Hajj, Religious and Minority Affairs, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.