British High Commission Hosts  Reception as Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games Begin

ISLAMABAD.
The British High Commission in Islamabad hosted an exclusive reception on Thursday night to celebrate the official launch of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, bringing a taste of Scottish culture and sporting spirit to the Pakistani capital.
The event gathered key figures from Pakistan’s sports sector, government, civil society, media, and Commonwealth alumni networks to mark the start of the quadrennial multi-sport event.

Running from July 23 to August 2, 2026, the Glasgow Games feature approximately 3,000 athletes representing 74 Commonwealth nations and territories. Competitors will face off across 10 sports, including six integrated Para sports disciplines. Glasgow previously hosted the Games in 2014, making this the UK’s latest major Commonwealth sporting event following the successful Birmingham 2022 Games.
Speaking at the reception, British High Commissioner Jane Marriott CMG OBE highlighted the broader impact of the event beyond athletic competition.

“The Commonwealth Games are about more than medals. They bring people together, celebrate talent, and show the power of sport to unite communities,” Marriott said.
“Pakistan has a proud sporting history, and athletes who continue to inspire young people across the country. As Glasgow welcomes the Commonwealth, we are proud to celebrate the strong links between the UK, Pakistan, and our Commonwealth family.”

Celebrating Youth Leadership and Education

Alongside the sporting kickoff, the reception put a spotlight on UK-supported educational and leadership initiatives across the Commonwealth, such as the long-standing Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships program.
Ahead of the main evening event, the High Commission held a special ceremony honoring Pakistani recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust 100 Young Leaders Awards Four young trailblazers were recognized for their contributions to technology, education, inclusion, and gender equality:

Farah Gul Rahuja Co-Founder of PakGPT, recognized for utilizing inclusive AI to advance education, healthcare access, and climate resilience in underserved communities.
Hassan Ashraf: Founder and CEO of the Umeed Foundation, awarded for expanding free educational opportunities for child laborers and vulnerable children across Pakistan.
Hadiqa Bashir Founder and Executive Director of Girls United for Human Rights, honored for her grassroots campaigning to eradicate child marriage, curb gender-based violence, and advocate for girls’ education.
Joshua Dilawar
Founder and Executive Director of the Institute for Social and Youth Development (ISYD), celebrated for promoting youth inclusion and health equity, including pioneering peer-educator programs for deaf youth.
The dual celebration underscored the Commonwealth’s core mission: fostering international friendship, youth empowerment, and shared growth across its 56 independent member states.