Written question asked by David Drew (Labour) on Thursday, 27 May 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 9 June 2004. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Wednesday, 9 June 2004 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the treatment of Christians in Pakistan; and what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Pakistan on the protection of Christians from attack by the Muslim extremists, with particular reference to the case of Javaid Anjum.

Answer: Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the treatment of Christians in Pakistan; and what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Pakistan on the protection of Christians from attack by the Muslim extremists, with particular reference to the case of Javaid Anjum. [177442] Mr. Mike O'Brien: Cases of religious persecution against the Christian population in Pakistan are viewed seriously by the British Government and we make our views on the treatment of religious minorities known to the Government of Pakistan on all possible occasions. On 31 May the EU submitted a demarche to the Pakistani government. This raised specific human rights concerns in Pakistan including the case of Javaid Anjum.

Secondary information