A proud moment for Pakistan
ZUBAIR QURESHI
ISLAMABAD
Internationally renowned Pakistani human rights (HR) and transgender rights activist Nayyab Ali is invited as a featured speaker at the WorldPride Human Rights Conference 2026 in Amsterdam, where she will share the stage with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mr Rob Jetten, and Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema.
Nayyab Ali announced the development through a social media post, calling it a proud moment to represent Pakistan at one of the world’s foremost human rights forums.
The conference, scheduled to open on August 5, will bring together world leaders, policymakers, human rights defenders and civil society representatives to discuss equality, inclusion and the protection of human rights.
According to the conference programme, Nayyab Ali will speak alongside Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten and Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema, highlighting the growing international recognition of her work for the rights of transgender persons and other marginalized communities in Pakistan.
Expressing her gratitude, Nayyab said she is deeply thankful that her efforts for marginalized communities are being well-recognized on the global stage.
She vowed that this honour would only strengthen her resolve and she will continue to raise her voice for the voiceless.
“In Pakistan, a tremendous amount of effort and struggle is still required to get recognition for the transgender community, the underprivileged class, as well as minorities,” she remarked, emphasizing that true equality demands persistent, grassroots work.
Nayyab Ali is an internationally acclaimed human rights defender and one of Pakistan’s leading transgender rights activists. She has spent more than a decade advocating for the rights of transgender persons and other marginalized communities, championing equal opportunities in education, healthcare, employment, political participation and access to justice.
Widely recognized for her outspoken advocacy, she has consistently called for an inclusive society that guarantees equal rights and dignity to all citizens.
An award-winning activist, Nayyab has received several international honours for her work. She is a recipient of the Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law 2020, jointly conferred by the Embassies of France and Germany in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights and the empowerment of Pakistan’s transgender community.
Her participation at the WorldPride Human Rights Conference is expected to provide an opportunity to highlight Pakistan’s progress and challenges relating to the rights of transgender persons before a global audience while strengthening international dialogue on equality, diversity and human rights.
The WorldPride Human Rights Conference is part of the WorldPride Amsterdam 2026 celebrations and is expected to bring together government representatives, international organizations, academics and human rights advocates from across the world.
