Written question asked by Bob Blackman (Conservative) on Monday, 8 September 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 10 September 2025. It was answered by Hamish Falconer (Labour) on Friday, 3 October 2025 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Pakistan: Religious Freedom
- Question
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To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Pakistani counterpart on the use of blasphemy legislation to target religious minorities.
- Answer
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The UK Government remains deeply concerned by the use of blasphemy laws to undermine human rights in Pakistan. We regularly raise this issue at the highest levels, pressing for due process to prevent wrongful convictions and ensure fair trials for those accused, and safety of those released. I (Minister Falconer) raised the rights of religious minorities and blasphemy laws when I met Pakistan's Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry on 31 March 2025. Lord Khan of Burnley raised the misuse of blasphemy laws when he met Pakistan's Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf on 16 April 2025. The Foreign Secretary looks forward to establishing a relationship and holding wide-ranging discussions with her Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar already having met in New York.
Secondary information
- Type
- Written question
- Reference
- 75585
- Session
- 2024-26
- Related items
- Subjects
- Blasphemy Pakistan Religious freedom
- Link
- View this Written question on www.parliament.uk
Librarians' tools
- Timestamp
- 2026-04-22 13:02:05 +0100
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- http://data.parliament.uk/writtenparliamentaryquestion/commons/2024-26/75585
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