Written question asked by Rupa Huq (Labour) on Tuesday, 17 March 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 24 March 2026 (named day). It was answered by Hamish Falconer (Labour) on Thursday, 2 April 2026 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Pakistan: Civil Society and Human Rights

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what outcomes have resulted from the UK High Commission in Islamabad’s engagement with civil society and human rights defenders.

Answer: Our High Commission in Islamabad engages regularly with civil society organisations and human rights defenders to monitor risks and to inform UK advocacy and programming. This engagement has helped shape UK funded work that has, for example, delivered the first Child Labour Surveys in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab in nearly two decades; provided technical support to strengthen child protection laws and policies, including the establishment of model Child Protection Units; and supported community level initiatives that improve access to services and justice for vulnerable groups. The High Commission has also supported efforts to advance media freedom, including UK backed advocacy that contributed to Pakistan's Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act (2021). We continue to use insights from this engagement to advocate for fundamental freedoms and due process for all Pakistan's citizens.

Secondary information