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<p>The FCDO continue regular contact with prison authorities in Pakistan to check
on Mr Rafique's welfare and have sought assurances that medical staff will continue
to monitor his health. His family are being kept informed of all developments and
we continue to speak to Mr Rafique, his friends and lawyers. Whilst prison visits
are suspended due to the pandemic, we continue to arrange telephone calls with Mr
Rafique to discuss any welfare and health issues. Mr Rafique and his lawyer have lodged
an appeal against his sentence. We hope that a pro bono legal panel, arranged by the
FCDO, will provide support to his lawyers during this next stage of his legal case.</p><p>We
regularly raise our concerns about the human rights situation with the Government
of Pakistan at a senior level. On 20 February, Minister of State for South Asia and
Minister responsible for Human Rights, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, discussed
our human rights concerns with Pakistan's Minister for Human Rights.</p>
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