§ Sir Dudley Smithasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he is initiating with the Government of Pakistan over the protection of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, many of whom have relatives in the United Kingdom; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitneyWe are aware of recent measures introduced by the Pakistan Government restricting the activities of the Ahmadiyya or Qadiani community. At our request Her Majesty's ambassador at Islamabad recently discussed this matter with the Pakistan authorities. They stressed that there was no question of permitting persecution of the Ahmadiyya community. Their aim was to calm the situation and to protect the Ahmadiyyas from extremist elements, some of whom had been arrested. The Pakistan authorities also indicated that any violence or further action against Ahmadiyyas would be dealt with severely.