Written question asked by Lord Patten (Conservative) on Monday, 30 November 2020, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 14 December 2020. It was answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative) on Monday, 14 December 2020 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Maira Shahbaz

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Prime Minister plans to raise the case of Maira Shabbaz with the Prime Minister of Pakistan; and if not, why not.

Answer: The UK Government strongly condemns the forced marriage and forced conversion of women and girls from religious minorities in Pakistan. Our concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief, women and girls' rights and gender equality are regularly raised with the Government of Pakistan. We are closely monitoring the case of Maira Shahbaz and engaging appropriately with the Government of Pakistan at Ministerial and senior official levels. Most recently, on 16 November, I raised our concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister, Dr Shireen Mazari. In addition, also on 16 November, the British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Dr Christian Turner CMG, raised our concerns about Maira Shahbaz's case with the Governor of Punjab, Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar.

Secondary information