Viscount Stansgate
Main Page: Viscount Stansgate (Labour - Excepted Hereditary)
The Deputy Chairman of Committees (Viscount Stansgate) (Lab)
My Lords, my apologies. That will teach me not to believe the Whips when they say there will be another vote straightaway. The debate continues.
Lord Callanan (Con)
As many noble Lords have observed in the debate, the reports on Imran Khan’s health are now extremely worrying. Can the Minister say what efforts Ministers have made to confirm these reports? Following those efforts, have Ministers changed their approach to this issue? In particular, it has been reported that Imran Khan has been denied proper medical treatment. Can the Minister update the Committee on the Government’s understanding of Imran Khan’s medical situation? On the specific point of how regularly Ministers are pressing their Pakistani counterparts on this point, can she please say when a Minister or official last raised the Imran Khan case with the Government of Pakistan and what action the Government of Pakistan have taken, if any, in response to that engagement?
Another important area of concern in this case, as my noble friend Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon pointed out, is the denial of family visits. The Minister helpfully confirmed last month that the Government would want to see access to family granted to anyone held in these circumstances, and we agree with the Government on that. As the Minister has previously said, one of the barriers to family access is that the Government of Pakistan control the visa and immigration decisions that would be required. Can the Minister please say what whether Ministers and officials have also raised that specific point with their Pakistani counterparts?
While the Government are completely correct that Imran Khan is not a British citizen, that said, I hope the Minister will recognise his long and deep connection with this country when raising that case. He was educated in the UK and, of course, he has many British family members. I know that she understands this, and it is important for us to reflect on it when discussing Imran Khan’s case. It is also important to reflect on the historic and ongoing relationship between the UK and Pakistan as a close and valued Commonwealth ally. We should encourage Pakistan to uphold the values of freedom and democracy that we all hold so dearly. I hope the Minister will take a moment in her reply to set out the Government’s views on that topic as well. I look forward to hearing what she has to say.
The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Baroness Chapman of Darlington) (Lab)
My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend Lady Alexander of Cleveden for securing this debate, and I thank all noble Lords for their contributions. The welfare and rights of detainees in Pakistan are concerns for many in the United Kingdom, particularly the British Pakistani community, and I recognise the strong feelings that this subject evokes. I welcome the opportunity to set out the United Kingdom’s approach.
I begin by underlining that Pakistan’s judicial processes are, of course, a matter for Pakistan; this has been the consistent position of successive UK Governments. However, we are clear—and I restate this today—that the Pakistani authorities must respect fundamental freedoms, including the right to a fair trial, due process, humane detention and access to appropriate medical treatment. These principles apply to Imran Khan, just as they apply to every citizen of Pakistan.
The noble Lord, Lord Ahmad, raised concerns about Mr Khan’s health and his detention conditions. We note the findings of the Supreme Court-mandated medical team and reports of medical procedures, including during this month. We also note the Islamabad High Court’s decision not to order an immediate hospital transfer, instead directing a further clinical review. While we do not comment on specific judicial decisions, we are clear that detention must be humane and that credible allegations of mistreatment should be investigated promptly and impartially.
Family access has been highlighted by several noble Lords, including the noble Lord, Lord Mohammed of Tinsley. The Government recognise the importance of prisoner-family contact, particularly in cases involving long-term detention or significant medical treatment. Decisions on visits, though, visas and entry to Pakistan, rest solely with the Government of Pakistan. Our consular support applies to British nationals. I know noble Lords understand this and that Imran Khan is not a British national, which limits the role that we can play. It is important that I restate that distinction, but I am happy to agree to speak to my friend, Minister Falconer, with a view to arranging the meeting that noble Lords have requested.
In response to my noble friend Lady Goudie, I can confirm that Ministers and senior officials have raised with Pakistani counterparts the need to uphold civil and political rights, including due process and humane treatment of detainees. This includes engagement between the Minister for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and Deputy Prime Minister Dar in August last year. There were also discussions with the then Foreign Secretary, now the Deputy Prime Minister, who specifically raised Imran Khan’s case during his visit to Pakistan in May last year.
The British high commissioner to Pakistan has also raised Imran Khan’s case at the highest levels, most recently with Pakistan’s Minister for Law and Human Rights last month. In our engagement, we raised wider concerns about democratic freedoms, the conduct of the 2024 elections, media freedoms and the use of military courts for civilians. We consistently urge the Pakistani authorities to examine concerns thoroughly and transparently to uphold democratic rights.
This is a short conclusion to a thoughtful, calm, well-informed and important debate. Let me finish by returning to the central point of today’s debate. The Government’s position is consistent and principled. Pakistan’s judicial processes are, of course, as many have said this afternoon, a matter for Pakistan. But like the noble Lord, Lord Hussain, we expect Pakistan’s authorities to uphold fundamental rights, fair trial standards, due process, humane detention and access to appropriate medical care for all detainees, including Imran Khan.
Where we have concerns, we raise them. Without interfering in Pakistan’s domestic matters or advocating for bespoke arrangements, we remain committed to supporting Pakistan’s democratic resilience, its human rights protections, and the stability and prosperity that will flow from strong and accountable institutions, as noble Lords have said. We do so as long-standing partners; we engage constructively and honestly, and this is in the UK’s national interest. I thank all noble Lords for their contributions and look forward to continuing to work with colleagues on these important issues.
The Deputy Chairman of Committees (Viscount Stansgate) (Lab)
My Lords, the debate we were due to hold on the UK’s civil preparedness for war has had to be postponed, because we have run out of time. I take this opportunity to wish all Members, clerks, doorkeepers and our Hansard writers a peaceful and restful Easter Recess.