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<p>We are aware of Mr Shakoor and Mr Sipra's cases. I remain concerned about reports
of abuses against Ahmadiyya and other religious minorities in Pakistan. The Government
strongly condemns the persecution of all minorities, including the targeting of innocent
people based on their beliefs. Our concerns are reflected in the latest update to
the Foreign and Commonwealth Office annual human rights report, which can be found
on <a href="http://www.gov.uk/fco" target="_blank">www.gov.uk/fco</a>.</p><p>We regularly
raise our concerns about the protection of minority communities, including the misuse
of the blasphemy laws, with the Pakistani Government at a senior level. In April,
the previous Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge
(Mr Philip Hammond), raised the importance of safeguarding the rights of all minorities
with Sartaj Aziz, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs. We continue to
urge Pakistan to honour in practice its human rights obligations, including those
related to religious minorities.</p><p> </p>
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