§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Pakistan on the proposal of exempting religious universities from the imposition of Shariah Law. [133615]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienI discussed the Shariah Law with the Pakistani High Commissioner on 22 September 2003. I understand that the authorities in the North West Frontier Province will apply the Sharia Law to educational institutions.
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§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Pakistani authorities on the current status of the blasphemy law. [133616]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienI discussed the blasphemy laws with the Pakistani High Commissioner on 22 September 2003. She told me that her Government was taking action to prevent abuses of these laws. The British High Commission in Islamabad remains in close touch with representatives of Christian and other religious minorities in Pakistan.