§ Mr. MacleanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on persecution of Christians in Pakistan in each of the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [107948]
§ Mr. HainWe have received a number of reports about the position of Christians in Pakistan and have raised our concerns with the Pakistani authorities. Our High Commission in Islamabad maintains a regular dialogue with Christian and human rights groups and the Pakistani authorities on this issue. Since the coup on 12 October 1999, General Musharraf has promised Pakistan's minorities that their rights would be respected and that they would be treated as equal citizens. We shall continue to monitor the situation closely and raise our concerns.