Pakistan: Religious Freedom
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for its policies on the protection of religious minorities of the recent killing of Dr Sheikh Mahmood in Pakistan; and what discussions he has had with his Pakistani counterpart on encouraging transparent investigations into such incidents.
Answered by Mr Hamish Falconer
Promoting the rights of religious minorities is a core part of the UK's diplomatic engagement in Pakistan. I discussed the deteriorating situation for Ahmadi Muslims with Pakistan's Minister of State for Interior in March 2025. In June 2025, ahead of Eid al-Adha, I raised the safety and dignity of Ahmadis with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister. Our High Commission in Islamabad has raised the tragic killing of Dr Sheikh Mahmood with the Human Rights Minister and the Chief Minister of Punjab. We will continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to fully investigate incidents of violence, prosecute those responsible and provide justice to victims and their families.
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