Pakistan’s Parliament Receives Inaugural Green Mace Award at 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference
Report by: Asghar Ali Mubarak (Senior Journalist & Columnist)
ISLAMABAD, September 17, 2026: In a historic and prestigious global recognition for Pakistan, the National Assembly of Pakistan has been conferred the inaugural Green Mace Award during the main program of the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) currently being held in Cape Town, South Africa.
The global honor recognizes the Parliament of Pakistan’s pioneering role in environmental preservation, structural governance sustainability, and climate action. Delegations and participants from across the Commonwealth highly appreciated Pakistan’s Green Parliament initiatives, hailing the National Assembly’s model as a stellar blueprint for global legislative bodies aiming to adopt eco-friendly systems.
Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq Receives the Accolade
Speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, received the prestigious international award on behalf of the Parliament of Pakistan during a high-profile ceremony in Cape Town. The award recognizes the structural transformation of Pakistan’s Parliament House, which achieved the global milestone of becoming the world’s first 100% solar-powered Parliament.
Furthermore, the award honors the institution’s swift transition toward a paperless administrative structure and its highly effective, ongoing rainwater harvesting project built within the Parliament House premises.
Commitment to the Future Generations
Expressing his profound gratitude upon receiving the inaugural award, Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq stated that leading the National Assembly during this historic milestone was a matter of immense honor for the country. He emphasized the core philosophy of the eco-friendly transition:
“This award is not merely an accolade or a transient trophy; it is the global validation of our Parliament’s unwavering commitment to securing a cleaner, sustainable, and better environment for our future generations. Our journey toward transforming this house into a Green Parliament was never undertaken for international recognition. It was driven entirely by a profound sense of national responsibility toward our citizens, our children, and the coming generations who will inherit this legislative institution in the future.”
Key Pillars of Pakistan’s Green Parliament Framework
The international panel at the 69th CPC thoroughly lauded three fundamental pillars of the National Assembly’s eco-friendly model:
- 100% Solar-Powered Grid Operations: The entire operational energy requirement of the National Assembly is drawn autonomously from clean solar grids, shielding the state infrastructure from fossil fuel dependency and eliminating carbon emissions.
- Paperless Legislative Workflow: The National Assembly has successfully digitized its active parliamentary proceedings by integrating customized electronic tablets for its members. This structural transition significantly minimizes paper procurement, preserves forestry, and establishes a secure digital infrastructure.
- Active Rainwater Harvesting Infrastructure: The ongoing water management systems constructed at the Parliament House ensure the efficient conservation, filtration, and recycling of rainwater, setting a critical precedent for national water resource utilization.
