Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Pakistan: Maira Shahbaz

Tuesday 26 October 2021 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Edward Leigh questioned the Foreign Office about providing more support for Maira Shahbaz, a victim of forced marriage and rape in Pakistan.
  • Edward Leigh inquired whether the Foreign Office's hesitation to act is due to the substantial aid given to Pakistan.
  • Sarah Champion urged support for a Bill banning child marriage in the UK and questioned the Foreign Secretary about cuts to education funding for women and girls in Pakistan.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Edward Leigh Con Gainsborough
Asylum & Refugees
Context

Maira Shahbaz, at age 14, was abducted and forced into a marriage against her will. She has been living in fear for over a year with the support of a petition signed by 12,000 people.

Question

At the age of 14, Maira Shahbaz was abducted, forced into a marriage against her will, and raped. She managed to escape and is now living in fear for her life. Given that over 12,000 people have signed a petition and we saw the Home Secretary, can the Foreign Office do more? Is it because of concern about alienating Pakistan, which receives £300 million annually from the UK?

Answer from James Cleverly

It is difficult to discuss individual cases in detail as it could put individuals at risk. The House will have heard Edward Leigh's points, and requests for asylum are considered on their merits.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions or timeline to move the court case forward and bring Maira Shahbaz to safety were not addressed

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Q2 Edward Leigh Con Gainsborough
Asylum & Refugees
Context

Maira Shahbaz's situation has been a subject of campaigning for over a year. She was abducted at age 14, forced into an unwanted marriage, and lives in fear.

Question

Given the extensive support Maira Shahbaz's case has received, including a petition with 12,000 signatures and meetings with the Home Secretary, can more be done by the Foreign Office? Is there hesitation due to the £300 million annual aid given to Pakistan?

Answer from James Cleverly

Discussing individual cases could put individuals at risk, making it challenging to provide detailed responses. The House understands Edward Leigh's points, and asylum requests are handled based on their merits.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions or timeline to move the court case forward were not provided

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Q3 Sarah Champion Lab Rotherham
Foreign Affairs Women & Equalities
Context

The International Development Committee's Chair is concerned about the £183 million cut to education funding for women and girls, which was signed off by the new Foreign Secretary in her first week. This funding is crucial for preventing child marriage.

Question

Child marriage is an abhorrent practice, and I urge support for the Bill banning it in this country. Will the new Foreign Secretary explain why she approved £183 million in cuts to education funding for women and girls, which is critical for preventing such practices?

Answer from James Cleverly

The rights of women around the world are taken very seriously. The Prime Minister prioritises girls' education internationally, advocating for it both globally and within the Government.

Not addressed: Specific explanation or justification for cutting education funding was not provided

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