Laila Naz Taj has received the Dukhtaran-e-Pakistan Excellence Award 2026, in recognition of her contributions to Pakistan’s social and institutional development. The honour was presented at a ceremony in Islamabad on October 14, 2026, where women leaders from across the country were recognised for professional achievements that have strengthened communities and institutions.
The award was conferred by the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) in collaboration with the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, and the Islamabad Centre of National Cohesion and Outreach. Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani attended the ceremony as chief guest, and the Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety presented the award.
What the Dukhtaran-e-Pakistan Excellence Award Recognises
The Dukhtaran-e-Pakistan Excellence Awards recognise women whose leadership and professional contributions have helped advance Pakistan’s social, economic and institutional development. Taj’s citation highlighted her commitment to public service, nation-building and empowerment, the three qualities the awards were created to celebrate.
The presentation took place at the closing of an international conference on inclusive and resilient economic empowerment and growth, held in Islamabad on October 13 and 14. The conference brought together government representatives, development partners and civil society to discuss approaches to reducing poverty and strengthening livelihoods. Addressing the closing session, Gilani congratulated the recipients of the awards and described women’s empowerment as essential to Pakistan’s socioeconomic progress. Multiple news outlets reported Taj as a recipient of the award, and the government’s published account of the conference confirmed that the awards were presented at the closing session.
In her acceptance remarks, as reported by the outlets covering the ceremony, Taj expressed gratitude to the Government of Pakistan and the selection committee. She reaffirmed her commitment to serving marginalised communities through the Aga Khan Development Network and advancing integrated, community-driven development. She also thanked her parents and mentors for encouraging her to pursue excellence through achievement and perseverance, and pledged to remain committed to Pakistan’s progress and the broader service of humanity.
A Career Built on Community Development
Taj is described in published reports as a Director at the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in Pakistan. She is a development professional whose work spans human development, public policy and humanitarian response, fields that sit at the centre of efforts to improve opportunities for vulnerable communities.
Her reported work has covered poverty reduction, climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, education, community development and child and family wellbeing. Across these areas, she has collaborated with governments, communities, development partners and civil society organisations to turn policy priorities into practical initiatives, working in Pakistan, the United Kingdom, the United States and Afghanistan.
An alumna of Harvard Business School and the London School of Economics, Taj brings an international perspective to development work that depends on connecting institutions with local needs. Community-driven development, the approach she has championed, places community participation at the centre of planning and implementation rather than treating residents solely as recipients of assistance.
Why This Recognition Matters
Recognition of women in development leadership draws attention to work that often happens away from the spotlight. Programmes that reduce poverty, build resilience and expand opportunity depend on coordination between institutions, local communities and funding partners, and on professionals who can hold those relationships together over years. Good News Pakistan has previously reported on Pakistani women recognised for leadership on national and international stages, including Aiysha Siddiqa, named Woman of the Year for her climate advocacy, Beenish Faisal, who won an Academic Excellence Award at the World School Summit 2026, and Naila Kiani, the second Pakistani woman to summit Everest.
The conference where the award was presented underlined the same point. Its discussions linked social protection with skills development, productive assets, market access and employment opportunities, and stressed that inclusive economic growth requires sustainable livelihoods for the people most often left behind. Honouring practitioners who deliver that work in communities is a reminder that national progress is built person by person, project by project.
For Taj, the award adds public visibility to a career devoted to that long, patient work. For younger women considering careers in development and public service, it offers a visible example of leadership recognised at the national level.
Photo: Faisal Mosque and the Islamabad skyline (file photo). The award ceremony took place in Islamabad. Photo: Shahzada Hatim / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Sources
- Abb Takk News, Laila Naz Taj honoured with 2026 Dukhtaran-e-Pakistan Excellence award
- Pamir Times, Laila Naz Taj Receives Dukhtaran-e-Pakistan Excellence Award 2026
- FactFile, Laila Naz Taj Wins Dukhtaran-e-Pakistan Excellence Award
- 10BM News, Laila Naz Taj awarded Dukhtaran-e-Pakistan Excellence Award 2026
- The News, Pakistan, Fudan University discuss cooperation on poverty alleviation, governance
Umar is an engineer by profession and a passionate writer by passion. He has a deep interest in sharing good news related to Pakistan and has been working hard to promote the positive image of his homeland. Umar has written numerous articles on various topics related to Pakistan, such as technology, sports, culture, and economy.