Found: The FCDO’s approach to state level hostage situations Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State

Found: The UK’s engagement with the Middle East and North Africa The Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of

Found: Admiral Sir Ben Key, KCB, CBE, First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, Ministry of Defence; and the Lord

Found: session w ith the Crown Prosecution Service and the Metropolitan Police, and a private meeting with Lord

Found: session with the Crown Prosecution Service and the Metropolitan Police, and a private meeting with Lord

Found: 4710 Email JCHR@parliament.uk Website www.parliament.uk From Joanna Cherry KC MP Lord

Found: Subsequently, on 20 February 2024, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon stated that: “The FCDO acknowledges the

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have made any representations to the government of Pakistan concerning the desecration of mosques and graves by police in Pakistan; and what response they have received, if any.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We are aware of credible reports of police overseeing and taking part in the desecration of Ahmadi mosques and graves in Pakistan. The UK Government condemns all instances of hate and discrimination directed towards minority religious communities, including Ahmadi Muslims. I [Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister for South Asia] raised my concerns about the persecution of religious minorities and the protection of minority faith communities with Pakistan's Human Rights and Law Minister, Azam Tarar, on 15 April. The Foreign Secretary highlighted the need for the UK and Pakistan to work together to pursue freedom of religion and belief in his introductory letter to Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in March. On 7 March, the UK formally registered UK concerns about the treatment of Ahmadi Muslims with the Pakistan High Commission, condemning all incidents of hate speech, the desecration of Ahmadi mosques and violence against Ahmadi individuals. We will continue to urge the government of Pakistan to guarantee the rights of all people in Pakistan as laid down in the Constitution of Pakistan and in accordance with international standards.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 25 April (HL Deb cols 628GC–630GC), whether they plan to use some of the increased aid to Pakistan to help train the staff of ‘Misaq Centres’ in police stations in areas with a sizeable percentage of minority communities.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We continue to make representations to the Government of Pakistan and use UK programme funding to protect and promote the rights of minorities in Pakistan. Our £46.7 million Aawaz II programme (2015-27) works to improve social cohesion at the grassroots level and provides technical assistance to the government for systemic reforms. For example, the programme works with minority religious communities to connect vulnerable citizens with state services. We will continue to use UK aid to support Pakistan's long-term development, focusing on improving human capital (health, education, gender equality), governance and human rights and climate resilience.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 25 April (HL Deb cols 628GC–630GC), whether development funding for Pakistan will be used for the training of teachers in religious tolerance or to develop materials and skills aimed at promoting a positive image of religious harmony and coexistence in schools.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We continue to make representations to the Government of Pakistan and use UK programme funding to protect and promote Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in schools. We have supported initiatives to review the National Curriculum of Pakistan, providing technical assistance to create a more inclusive curriculum and textbooks. We have also commissioned studies to identify minorities' needs in education. Meanwhile, our Girls and Out of School Action for Learning programme is improving education outcomes for marginalised children from the most vulnerable sections of society, including religious minorities. We will continue to use UK aid to support Pakistan's long-term development, focusing on improving human capital (health, education, gender equality), governance and human rights and climate resilience.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 30 April (HL3810), where the register detailing which ambassadors have accepted offers of gifts or hospitality to attend F1 races in the last three years in each of the Gulf States can be accessed; and whether the register identifies which races they attended, and who offered the gift and hospitality.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Registers for gifts and hospitality are held locally at each FCDO Embassy. These registers are not publicly released.

The FCDO expects all members of staff to maintain the highest standards of propriety and regularity at all times in line with the Civil Service Code and the Diplomatic Service Code.

Found: Ahead of the visit, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for Middle East, said:  As the humanitarian