HC Deb 30 November 2000 vol 357 cc835-6W
Mr. Colman

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Pakistan Government in respect of the(a) independence and (b) openness of the judicial inquiry into the murders of Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan. [140920]

Mr. Hain

We are aware that the local authorities in Pakistan have begun judicial inquiries into the disturbing recent attacks on Ahmadis in Punjab, Pakistan. We will continue to follow the progress of these inquiries closely, emphasising to the Pakistani authorities that it is in Pakistan's interest that they are seen to be transparent and independent.

Mr. Colman

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received concerning recent murders of Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan; and if he will make a statement. [140760]

Mr. Hain

We are deeply concerned at reports of recent attacks on Ahmaddiyas in Ghatalian and Takht Hazara, Punjab, which resulted in the death of 10 Ahmadiyya worshippers and the wounding of many more.

We regularly raise our concerns about the position of Pakistan's Ahamdiyya community with the Pakistani authorities, most recently with the new Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK on 24 November.

I also wish to applaud the important contributions made by supporters of the Ahmadiyya to British Society.

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