Lord Alton of Liverpool House of Lords
London
SW1A 0PW
6 December 2021
Dear David,
Thank you for your correspondence of 2, 4 and 17 September sharing reporting of a number of concerning incidents involving the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Pakistan.
I must apologise for the delay in responding. This has been a particularly busy time for FCDO officials, due to ongoing events in Afghanistan.
I share your concern about discrimination towards religious minorities in Pakistan, including against the Ahymadiyya Muslim Community.
I was sorry to hear about the tragic death of Maqsood Ahmad Qamar on 2 September and my thoughts are with his loved ones. I can confirm that we are providing consular assistance to his family.
You also raised concerns over the reported removal of Dr Waseem Ahmed from his role as health CEO in Chakwal, due to his faith. The UK has been clear that no one should be excluded from the workplace, or wider society, because of their religion or belief.
As you are aware, we regularly raises concerns about the human rights situation, including Freedom of Religion or Belief, at a senior level with the Government of Pakistan.
During my visit to Pakistan on 22 and 23 June, I raised the treatment of minorities, including Ahmadi Muslims, with Prime Minister Imran Khan, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and Federal Minister of Human Rights Shireen Mazari.
In addition to these meetings, I met with representatives of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community and took part in an interfaith roundtable to better understand the concerns of minorities.
We will continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to guarantee the fundamental rights of all its citizens, in accordance with international standards. I greatly appreciate your continued engagement on these important issues.
Yours sincerely,
LORD (TARIQ) AHMAD OF WIMBLEDON
Minister of State for South Asia, United Nations and the Commonwealth Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict
