PESHAWAR: The passage of the Kalash Marriage Act by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly marks a historic milestone for Pakistan’s only indigenous Kalash community.
For the first time, the legislation provides a comprehensive legal framework governing marriage within the Kalash community, strengthening the protection of its unique culture, identity, family structure, and legal rights.
To commemorate this landmark achievement, a ceremony was held at the Speaker’s Chamber of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, where a delegation from the Kalash community, led by Wazir Zada Kalash, President of the Insaf Minority Wing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and former Member of the Provincial Assembly, called on Speaker Babar Saleem Swati.
The delegation included Stephen Kent, Country Director of Norwegian Aid, Sarmad Iqbal, Rizwan Ali, and Qamar Naseem, Chief Executive Officer of Blue Veins. Chief Whip of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Akbar Ayub Khan, Secretary of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Syed Waqar Shah, Principal Secretary to the Speaker Mian Sarir, and other officials were also present.
As a gesture of appreciation, members of the Kalash community cut a celebratory cake in honour of the Speaker and acknowledged the Assembly’s significant role in the enactment of this historic legislation.
Speaking on the occasion, Speaker Babar Saleem Swati said that the Kalash community is a treasured part of Pakistan’s cultural heritage. He emphasised that safeguarding the community’s culture, traditions, identity, and rights is a collective responsibility.
He described the Kalash Marriage Act as a shining example of the Assembly’s commitment to protecting fundamental rights while promoting respect for cultural diversity across the province.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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