Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking with international partners to address the incidence of abduction, forced conversion, and forced marriage of young girls and women from religious minorities in Pakistan.

We continue to urge the government of Pakistan to guarantee the rights of all people in Pakistan, particularly marginalised groups including women, minorities and children, as laid down in the Constitution of Pakistan and in accordance with international standards.  Protecting the rights of women and girls is central to the UK Government's human rights engagement in Pakistan. UK programme funds are helping to address gender-based violence by raising awareness of early and forced marriages, tackling online hate speech, and making digital spaces safer for women.  The British High Commission in Islamabad will continue to support civil society and NGOs in lobbying the Government of Pakistan to honour its international commitments.