Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government when they last made representations to the government of Pakistan about the recognition of baptism certificates and school records as evidence to be used in cases of abductions, forced marriage and forced conversions to determine the ages of victims; and what support they have provided to that country to enable such data to be included on its National Database and Registration Authority.

The UK Government strongly condemns the forced marriage and forced conversion of women and girls from religious minorities in Pakistan. We regularly raise our concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief, women and girls' rights and gender equality with the Government of Pakistan at a senior level. Most recently, on 27 August, I raised our human rights concerns including Freedom of Religion of Belief with Pakistan's Minister for Human Rights, Dr Shireen Mazari. In addition, on 8 September, I discussed Freedom of Religion Belief with the Governor of Punjab.

We are working with the Government of Pakistan to strengthen and improve Pakistan's police and judicial systems. The UK's Strengthening Rule of Law in Pakistan programme aims to increase public confidence and trust in the Rule of Law. It focuses on delivering outputs that improve the justice system for victims, witnesses and offenders, including vulnerable women and girls.