Skip to main content

Pakistan: Religious Freedom

Question for Department for International Development

UIN 55331, tabled on 29 November 2016

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what role Government aid plays in assisting the government of Pakistan fulfil its duties under Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Answered on

6 December 2016

The UK Government is firmly committed to promoting and protecting the right to freedom of religion or belief. The UK raises human rights and the rights of minorities on a regular basis at the highest levels in Pakistan and we ensure our development assistance targets the poor, regardless of race, religion, gender, social background, or nationality. The UK Aid funded AAWAZ (aawaz means “voice” in Urdu) Voice and Accountability Programme supports work to foster tolerance and social cohesion between different religious groups. The UK also supports interfaith dialogue in Pakistan to promote a culture of respect for others’ religion or belief.