Professor Afzal Javed, Consultant Psychiatrist, former President of the World Psychiatric Association (2020-2023) and Executive Committee Member of Fountain House (Lahore, Pakistan), was awarded an OBE by King Charles III at the investiture at Windsor Castle on 2 June 2026 in recognition of his services to mental health.
Professor Afzal Javed is widely recognised for his leadership as President of the World Psychiatric Association from 2020 to 2023. As part of his international contributions, he has visited over 70 countries to advocate for and promote mental health, with a particularly prominent role in supporting mental health initiatives in developing countries. His efforts have included capacity building, professional training, policy advocacy, and the establishment of sustainable mental health services in regions with limited resources.
He has played a pivotal role in several UK-based charities, including serving as Chairman of the Richmond Fellowship Foundation International, which worked across Commonwealth countries to establish rehabilitation facilities for people with mental illness. He is also a Founding Trustee of Akhuwat UK, which supports poverty alleviation programmes in low-income countries, and a contributor to CAREIF (The Centre for Applied Research and Evaluation – International Foundation).
In 2023, Professor Afzal Javed was honoured with the Sitara-i-Imtiaz by the Government of Pakistan in recognition of his national, regional, and international contributions to the promotion and advancement of mental health.
His younger brother, Dr Amjad Saqib, Chairman of Akhuwat, who is well known for his social and community work in Pakistan, was also awarded the Hilal-i-Imtiaz by the Government of Pakistan in 2024.