Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what recent representations they have made to the government of Pakistan on the effect of blasphemy laws on the Christian community in that country.

Protecting minority communities remains central to the UK Government's human rights engagement in Pakistan. We continue to raise the issue of blasphemy laws privately at the highest levels. On 27 June, I raised the abuse of blasphemy laws to target marginalised religious communities with Pakistan's then-Minister for Human Rights, Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada. I also discussed blasphemy laws and the importance of promoting respect for all religions and communities during my meeting with Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on 14 December 2022 and more recently on 13 September with the caretaker Foreign Minister Jilani.