Written question asked by Lord Patten (Conservative) on Tuesday, 17 March 2015, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 31 March 2015. It was answered by Lord Allen of Kensington (Labour) on Tuesday, 24 March 2015 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Pakistan

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the freedom and safety of Christians to practise their religion in Pakistan; and when they next intend to raise this issue with the government of Pakistan.

Answer: We remain deeply concerned by the violent persecution of Christians and other religious minorities in Pakistan. On 15 March the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood), joined our High Commissioner in Islamabad, in condemning the most recent attack on Christians in Lahore. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), discussed Pakistan’s misuse of the blasphemy laws with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in November 2014. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office monitors religious freedom in Pakistan in its annual Human Rights report, published last week. We continue to urge the government of Pakistan to protect the human rights of all its citizens as laid down in the Constitution and in accordance with international standards.

Secondary information