Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Pakistani counterpart on the use of blasphemy legislation to target religious minorities.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK Government remains deeply concerned by the use of blasphemy laws to undermine human rights in Pakistan. We regularly raise this issue at the highest levels, pressing for due process to prevent wrongful convictions and ensure fair trials for those accused, and safety of those released. I (Minister Falconer) raised the rights of religious minorities and blasphemy laws when I met Pakistan's Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry on 31 March 2025. Lord Khan of Burnley raised the misuse of blasphemy laws when he met Pakistan's Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf on 16 April 2025. The Foreign Secretary looks forward to establishing a relationship and holding wide-ranging discussions with her Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar already having met in New York.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Khan of Burnley on 16 October 2024 (HL1196), what plans they have to provide the finances for a Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum to those of a Muslim faith who gave their lives in two World Wars, as announced in the March 2024 Budget.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

We are absolutely committed to remembering the vital contribution made by Muslim soldiers who fought incredibly bravely throughout the World Wars in the British Army and Allied Forces.

The Government are developing plans to provide funding of up to £1 million to build a fitting Muslim War Memorial and honour the lasting legacy of their vital contribution.

It is important that the Government considers a broad range of options for delivering the memorial and to inform our thinking, MHCLG ran a market engagement exercise earlier this year. The exercise was published on the Contracts Finder and Find a Grant portals. Responses have been evaluated and we are now developing plans for a competitive funding award process to be launched later this year.

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