Ms. Aqela Sumbal is a dedicated social and political leader with extensive experience in public service, governance, and sustainable development. She has served as a Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and previously worked with the SDGs Unit/Secretariat of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, contributing to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Earlier in her career, she managed and implemented development projects with various national and international NGOs across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and the Islamabad Capital Territory. She also served as a member of the Dispute Resolution Council (DRC), Mardan, where she focused on resolving cases involving women and girls. In addition, she is a former President of the Women Chamber of Commerce, Mardan, where she actively promoted women’s entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
As a senior leader at GRAO, Ms. Aqela Sumbal leads the organization’s SDG 2030 Portfolio across Pakistan, covering all four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir. She provides strategic leadership for programmes that support sustainable development, social inclusion, and community resilience.
Ms. Aqela Sumbal is recognized for her leadership, policy expertise, and commitment to sustainable development. Her experience in government, community development, and civil society enables her to build strong partnerships, lead impactful programmes, and promote inclusive development across Pakistan.
Lead – SDG 2030 Portfolio, GRAO
Email: sumbal@grao.org.pk
