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Pakistan: Development Aid

Asked by Jim ShannonDemocratic Unionist PartyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled Answered 21 January 2025UIN 23326

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that UK aid to Pakistan is not used to support human rights abuses in Balochistan.

Answered by Mr Hamish Falconer

The UK remains deeply concerned by reports of human rights abuses in Pakistan, including in Balochistan. Whilst UK Aid does not directly deliver in Balochistan, the UK Government continues to engage with the Government of Pakistan on human rights matters. I raised the importance of upholding civil and political rights with senior Pakistani Ministers, including the Minister for Human Rights and Interior Minister, during my visit to Pakistan in November 2024. We will continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to guarantee the rights of all people in Pakistan in accordance with its constitution and international standards.

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