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1690790

registered interest
date	21/02/2024
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Pakistan: Minority Groups
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment his Department has made of the role of the Pakistan judiciary in protecting persecuted minorities.
tabling member constituency	Linlithgow and East Falkirk
tabling member printed	Martyn Day
uin	15117
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/03/2024 answer text <p>The UK does not comment or interfere with judicial processes in Pakistan. They are a matter for the Pakistan judicial system.  However, the UK does regularly engage with the Government of Pakistan to advance key priorities and interests, including on human rights and the rule of law. The former Foreign Secretary met the caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-Ul-Haq Kakar, on the 23rd September, where he raised the importance of protecting the rights of religious minorities in Pakistan. Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister for South Asia, condemned the violence and discrimination faced by religious minorities in his meeting with Pakistan's caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani on 13 September.</p> answering member constituency Berwick-upon-Tweed answering member printed Anne-Marie Trevelyan question first answered 01/03/2024 09:35:09 answering member 4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan
tabling member	4488 label Biography information for Martyn Day

1663527

registered interest
date	13/10/2023
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Pakistan: Minority Groups
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much and what proportion of (a) humanitarian and (b) development funding his Department has provided to help support the human rights of minorities in Pakistan.
tabling member constituency	Linlithgow and East Falkirk
tabling member printed	Martyn Day
uin	201381
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/10/2023 answer text <p>The UK regularly engages with the Government of Pakistan at a senior level to promote minority rights and Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). We prioritise our aid to achieve maximum impact for the people of Pakistan in line with our strategic priorities, including promoting FoRB. Our Accountability, Inclusion and Reducing Modern Slavery programme (£39.5 million over the period 2018-2024) brings together community leaders and minority representatives to promote tolerance. Our Hate Speech and Disinformation programme (£4.2 million over the period 2022-2025) is working to protect marginalised communities from hate speech online. The UK's programme of support for education has helped thousands of children from religious minorities attend school and gain skills (£130 million over the period 2023-2027). Our bilateral ODA (Official Development Assistance) budget in FY 23/24 is £41.5 million. This is set to more than triple, to £133 million, next year.</p> answering member constituency Aldershot answering member printed Leo Docherty grouped question UIN 201379 question first answered 23/10/2023 15:45:20 answering member 4600 label Biography information for Leo Docherty
tabling member	4488 label Biography information for Martyn Day

1582609

registered interest
date	31/01/2023
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Pakistan: Minority Groups
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the prevalence of forced marriages and conversions of women and girls from religious minorities in Pakistan; and what representations they have made to the government of Pakistan regarding this practice.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Leeds
uin	HL5261
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/02/2023 answer text <p>Protecting women's rights is central to the UK Government's human rights engagement in Pakistan. I [Lord Ahmad] raised forced conversions in my meeting with Pakistan's Minister for Human Rights, Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, on 14 October 2022. I also conducted a roundtable discussion in Pakistan with human rights stakeholders on 15 October, discussing gender-based violence. In December 2022, the UK announced sanctions against Mian Abdul Haq, a Pakistani cleric who is responsible for the forced religious conversions and forced marriages of non-Muslims and minors.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 15/02/2023 16:34:30 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4349 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Leeds

1582610

registered interest
date	31/01/2023
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Pakistan: Minority Groups
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Pakistan regarding its Criminal Laws (Amendment) Act 2022, and the impact the legislation will have on religious minorities in that country.
tabling member printed	The Lord Bishop of Leeds
uin	HL5262
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/02/2023 answer text <p>Protecting minority communities is a key part of the UK Government's human rights engagement in Pakistan. I [Lord Ahmad] discussed the need to safeguard the rights of religious minorities during my meeting with Pakistan's Minister for Human Rights Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada on 30 January, and raised proposed amendments to the blasphemy laws. I also discussed the importance of promoting respect for all religions during my meeting with Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on 14 December 2022.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 15/02/2023 16:59:46 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	4349 label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Leeds

1465401

registered interest
date	24/05/2022
answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept id	208
answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
hansard heading	Pakistan: Minority Groups
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her counterpart in Pakistan on the protection and wellbeing of minority communities in that country.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	8108
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/06/2022 answer text <p>The UK Government made clear its condemnation of the murder of two members of the Sikh community last month, in statements by Lord Ahmad, Minister of State for South Asia, and by the British High Commissioner to Pakistan. We regularly raise our concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief at a senior level with the Government of Pakistan. Lord Ahmad discussed the need to promote respect for all religions with then Governor of Punjab Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar on 28 November and with Shaikh Hasan Haseeb Ur Rehman of the Council of Islamic Ideology, and Pir Naqeeb, Custodian of the Eidgah Sharif Shrine in Rawalpindi on 6 January.</p> answering member constituency Braintree answering member printed James Cleverly grouped question UIN 8107 8109 8110 question first answered 06/06/2022 16:48:41 answering member 4366 label Biography information for James Cleverly
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1191176

registered interest
date	28/04/2020
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Pakistan: Minority Groups
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent steps she has taken to ensure that religious minorities are not disproportionately adversely affected by the covid-19 pandemic.
tabling member constituency	East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow
tabling member printed	Dr Lisa Cameron
uin	41077
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/05/2020 answer text <p>The UK Government works to ensure that all aid reaches the most vulnerable including those from religious minorities. Vulnerable populations will experience COVID-19 outbreaks differently. COVID-19 is likely to reinforce their marginalised position in society, their experience of discrimination, violence and stigma, and further limit their access to essential support and services. For this reason, on 9 April, guidance was circulated across DFID highlighting that inclusion must be central to our response and the specific contexts and needs of all religious minorities should be taken into account when developing practical programmes to tackle COVID-19.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 05/05/2020 16:32:23 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	4412 label Biography information for Dr Lisa Cameron

1191177

registered interest
date	28/04/2020
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Pakistan: Minority Groups
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the validity of reports that religious minorities in Pakistan are being denied adequate support during the covid-19 pandemic.
tabling member constituency	East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow
tabling member printed	Dr Lisa Cameron
uin	41078
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/05/2020 answer text <p>DFID is paying close attention to ensure that all COVID-19 assistance is inclusive and does not discriminate on religious grounds.</p><p>DFID is actively engaged with the Government of Pakistan to shape their COVID-19 response so that those most at risk of being left behind, including religious and other minority groups, can receive assistance. We are currently looking at how we can best support vulnerable groups through the crisis.</p><p>We are concerned by media reports of incidents where minorities in Sindh were refused assistance. We therefore welcome the establishment of initiatives like the government’s Ehsaas Rashan Portal, which seeks to prevent some of these inequities by connecting the private sector and civil society organisations with those most in need of assistance.</p> answering member constituency Selby and Ainsty answering member printed Nigel Adams question first answered 05/05/2020 16:34:08 answering member 4057 label Biography information for Nigel Adams
tabling member	4412 label Biography information for Dr Lisa Cameron

1151156

registered interest
date	21/10/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Pakistan: Minority Groups
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to provide training for Pakistani minority groups and non-governmental organisations on how to (1) organise, campaign and lobby for their rights, and (2) respond to the shrinking of civil society space in Pakistan; and how the persecution of Ahmadi and Christian minorities was raised during the visit to Pakistan by HRH the Duke of Cambridge.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL233
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2019 answer text <p>The British Government provides training, workshops and seminars on Freedom of Religion or Belief in Pakistan, including to representatives of minority groups. These aim to increase awareness of rights and constitutional safeguards, and to strengthen connections between minority communities and local media. The British Government continues to support civil society and non-governmental organisations lobbying the Government of Pakistan to honour its international commitments. Department for International Development will work with local civil society organisations to promote respect, tolerance and inclusion of minorities and marginalised groups through its AAWAZ II programme.</p><p>While in Pakistan, Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge discussed interfaith harmony with faith leaders from across Pakistan’s various religious communities, including Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Shia and Sunni. Discussions focused on the challenges and opportunities present in promoting interfaith relations in Pakistan, as well as how faith representatives can work together to build acceptance and tolerance in Pakistani society. They also spent time with members of the Kalash community in the Bumburet Valley of Chitral.</p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 04/11/2019 16:33:46 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1151160

registered interest
date	21/10/2019
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Pakistan: Minority Groups
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to require organisations that receive UK aid funding for projects in Pakistan to hire at least 5 per cent of any in-country staff from minority communities.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL237
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/10/2019 answer text <p>We do not have any plans to require recruitment by quota for DFID funded programmes. People from minority communities may be reluctant to disclose their minority status, which makes it difficult to count and monitor against this metric. However, our programme documentation makes clear that we require our partners to avoid discriminatory practices in recruitment as well as take action on safeguarding.</p><p> </p><p>Our Aawaz programme has helped members of minority communities to challenge discrimination and its successor Aawaz 2 will continue this work.</p> answering member printed Baroness Sugg question first answered 30/10/2019 13:56:50 answering member 4584 label Biography information for Baroness Sugg
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1150694

registered interest
date	18/10/2019
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Pakistan: Minority Groups
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if he will include the category of religious minorities to the data that his Department collects on vulnerable populations in Pakistan.
tabling member constituency	St Helens South and Whiston
tabling member printed	Ms Marie Rimmer
uin	1915
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/10/2019 answer text <p>DFID Pakistan is making efforts to include the category of religious minorities into the data that it collects on vulnerable populations by improving government data collection and protecting the rights of minorities. We currently collect data on minority status when there is a specific need for it, such as for our programmes which specifically aim at helping minority groups. We recently had some success in collecting more and better-quality data on people with disabilities in Pakistan. We learned from that and will build on it to focus our energy on collecting data from other vulnerable and minority groups.</p> answering member constituency South West Wiltshire answering member printed Dr Andrew Murrison question first answered 25/10/2019 12:30:57 answering member 1466 label Biography information for Dr Andrew Murrison
tabling member	4457 label Biography information for Ms Marie Rimmer