HC Deb 05 March 2002 vol 381 c202W
Harry Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what(a) explanation he has requested and (b) assessment he has made of Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh being held in custody for a week by Pakistan Security Services (ISI) before the civilian authorities were notified of his arrest; and if he will make a statement. [38993]

Mr. Bradshaw

The British High Commission in Islamabad and the Deputy High Commission in Karachi asked for information on the detention of Mr. Sheikh on 13 February, but did not specifically ask about the delay in notifying the civil authorities. We are investigating the case further. If Mr. Sheikh is a dual UK/Pakistani national, Pakistani authorities are not obliged to give us consular access or information.