Jammu and Kashmir: Human Rights and Political Situation

Lord Callanan Excerpts

Thursday 23rd July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Collins of Highbury (Lab)]

I reassure the noble Baroness that we regularly raise human rights concerns with the Government of Pakistan at the highest levels. Promoting human rights is a core part of the United Kingdom’s diplomatic engagement and programmes in Pakistan. We regularly raise our concerns with its Government at a senior level—I mentioned Minister Falconer’s visit in June. I reassure the noble Baroness that we maintain regular contact and that we are concerned. We want to ensure a peaceful resolution and dialogue, and we certainly support all efforts to maintain democratic accountability.

[Lord Callanan (Con)]

My Lords, I congratulate the noble Lord on his return to the Foreign Office. The whole House thought that he was badly treated by the previous junta, so it is nice to see him back. The Government’s most significant challenge in their recent discussions with Pakistan was their disagreement over the deportation of Shabir Ahmed. Can the Minister update the House on progress in those discussions and what steps the Government will take if Pakistan refuses to allow Shabir Ahmed to be deported?

[Lord Collins of Highbury (Lab)]

First, I confess I take a whole-government approach: I am not in the FCDO at the moment but have some responsibility for government policy. I reassure the noble Lord that, in my new responsibilities at the Home Office, I will take his concerns seriously. We need to be clear about our determination to ensure that the individual to whom he refers is no longer in this country. The crimes he committed were appalling and we take this matter seriously. The dialogue between Pakistan and us is ongoing.