§ Mr. Andy KingTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will encourage his colleagues in the international community to join with him in supporting General Musharraf in resisting fundamentalist groups in Pakistan. [133212]
§ Mr. HainWe are in regular contact with our friends and allies about all aspects of Pakistan. We are aware of inter-community violence, including sectarian attacks, and regularly raise the position of religious minorities in discussions with Pakistani authorities. We hope that, within the parameters of the law, the authorities in Pakistan success in reducing the level of violence. We believe this view is widely shared by the international community.
§ Mr. Andy KingTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has made to develop links between Mullahs and minority groups in order to foster and encourage tolerance in Pakistan. [133208]
§ Mr. HainOur diplomatic missions seek to maintain links with a wide range of religious groups in Pakistan. In our discussions with them, we continue to urge all genuine efforts to foster inter-faith dialogue and tolerance.
§ Mr. Andy KingTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received concerning the persecution of women during recent months in Pakistan. [133207]
§ Mr. HainWe are deeply concerned about the position of women in Pakistan, particularly the practice of "honour killings". We have joined our EU partners in condemning the practice, and, in that context, we welcome General Musharraf s announcement condemning "honour killings" as pre-meditated murder and establishing the Commission on the Status of Women. We have urged the Pakistani authorities to implement the 1995 Beijing Platform and the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). We continue to monitor the situation closely.
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§ Mr. Andy KingTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received concerning the fundamentalist element within(a) the army and (b) the Cabinet in Pakistan; and if he will make a statement. [133210]
§ Mr. HainWe receive regular reports from our diplomatic missions about all aspects of the political situation in Pakistan, including the policies of General Musharraf's Administration. We will continue to monitor these closely.