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.

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.