To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Prime Minister plans to raise the case of Maira Shabbaz with the Prime Minister of Pakistan; and if not, why not.
Answered on
14 December 2020
The UK Government strongly condemns the forced marriage and forced conversion of women and girls from religious minorities in Pakistan. Our concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief, women and girls' rights and gender equality are regularly raised with the Government of Pakistan. We are closely monitoring the case of Maira Shahbaz and engaging appropriately with the Government of Pakistan at Ministerial and senior official levels. Most recently, on 16 November, I raised our concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister, Dr Shireen Mazari. In addition, also on 16 November, the British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Dr Christian Turner CMG, raised our concerns about Maira Shahbaz's case with the Governor of Punjab, Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar.