To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will raise with the Government of Pakistan the case of Younis Masih, a Christian who has been sentenced to death under section 295C of the Pakistan penal code; and if she will urge the Pakistani authorities to ensure that he is able to access a fair appeals process and proper protection to prevent attacks from extremists while he is appealing the sentence. (142644)

We do not usually raise individual cases and have not recently made any representations to the Pakistani authorities concerning Younis Masih. However, we are aware of this case and regularly raise our concerns about the treatment of religious minorities in Pakistan both bilaterally and with our EU partners. We oppose the death penalty in all circumstances as a matter of principle.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will raise with the Government of Pakistan the case of four female student nurses, a member of staff and the Principal at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Nursing School who have been suspended on suspicion of desecration of the Koran; and if she will urge the Pakistani authorities immediately to reinstate them and to ensure that there is an independent inquiry into the matter. (142645)

Although we do not usually raise individual cases, we regularly raise our concerns over the situation of religious minorities with the Government of Pakistan. Most recently, in May, we again voiced our concerns over the treatment of religious minorities in Pakistan, together with our EU partners.