§ Andy KingTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Pakistani authorities concerning the continuing imprisonment of Parvez Masih and Ayub Masih. [3869]
§ Mr. BradshawI refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the then Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Cunninghame, North (Mr. Wilson) on 27 April 2001,Official Report, columns 421–22W. We are deeply concerned about the misuse of the blasphemy laws in Pakistan and about the thousands of Pakistani citizens imprisoned under these laws, including many from the religious minorities. We raise the blasphemy laws at regular intervals with the Pakistani authorities and have previously raised the case of Ayub Masih. The EU Troika raised the blasphemy laws with the Pakistani Minister of Law, Justice and Human Rights, Ms Shahida Jamil, on 3 May.
§ Andy KingTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Pakistani authorities concerning violent attacks perpetrated upon Christian women by Muslim extremists in Pakistan. [3870]
§ Mr. BradshawI refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the then Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Cunninghame, North (Mr. Wilson) on 1 May 2001,Official Report, column 579W. Representations were made to the Pakistani authorities concerning the allegations of violence against and kidnapping of Naira Nadia, a Christian girl. We regularly raise the treatment of religious minorities and the treatment of women with the Pakistani authorities. We also keep in regular contact with groups campaigning for the rights of religious minorities and women in Pakistan. We welcomed General Musharraf s speech of 5 June to religious leaders in which he condemned religious violence and intolerance.
§ Andy KingTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further representations he has made to the Pakistani authorities concerning the disappearance of Naira Nadia. [3868]
§ Mr. BradshawI refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the then Minister of State, my hon. Friend, the Member for Cunninghame, North (Mr. Wilson) on 1 May 2001,Official Report, column 579W. The Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement inform us that a settlement is under discussion between Ms Nadia's family and those accused of her kidnapping.