A delegation led by David Drew MP (Labour, Stroud) and organized by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) returned this week from a fact-finding visit to Pakistan, in which they met Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and other senior political leaders. The delegation urged the Pakistani government to repeal the discriminatory blasphemy laws and Hudood Ordinances which have been widely abused.

During a meeting with the Prime Minister in his residence on September 3, the group presented a letter, signed by David Drew MP, CSW's Advocacy Officer Benedict Rogers and CSW's National Director Stuart Windsor, which urged him to do more to protect religious minorities in Pakistan.

The main issue highlighted by CSW was the repeal of the notorious blasphemy laws and the Hudood Ordinances. "The abuse of such laws creates a poor image for your country ' Their repeal would send a strong signal to the international community that Pakistan is truly a place of 'enlightened moderation' and the rule of law," the delegation told the Prime Minister.

The delegation expressed appreciation for Pakistan's co-operation with the United Kingdom in the fight against terrorism, and applauded the Pakistani Government's decision to restore the Joint Electorate System in 2002. CSW had campaigned for almost a decade for the abolition of the previous system of separate electorates for Muslims and minorities, which divided communities, discriminated against minorities and contributed to sectarian violence. The restoration of the Joint Electorate System was "a significant step forward for unity and harmony in Pakistan," the group said.

However, the delegation called for further electoral reform. Local government elections are still conducted using separate voting lists, which cause confusion for candidates, voters and polling staff. In the letter, the delegation called on the Prime Minister to ensure that elections are organized using a single voter list for Muslims and non-Muslims alike. The group also urged the Pakistani Government to increase the number of reserved seats for minorities in the National Assembly, and to introduce minority seats in the Senate.

The group also met with the Minister for Religious and Minority Affairs, Muhammad Ijaz Ul Haq. He is the son of the former leader of Pakistan, General Zia Ul Haq, who introduced the blasphemy laws.

The Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Secretary-General of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League, Senator Mushahid Hussein, said he would support calls for an increase in minority seats in the National Assembly.

President Musharraf has often spoken of the need for reform. In the conclusion to their report, the delegation said: "If President Musharraf truly means what he says, then there is no better way to demonstrate it than by repealing the blasphemy laws, increasing minority reserved seats and restoring joint voting lists. We urge the international community, including Her Majesty's Government, the European Union, the United States and the United Nations to continue to raise these issues regularly with the Pakistani Government."

David Drew MP, said: "This was a significant visit in which we were able to meet directly with the country's leaders and appeal for change. We need now to re-double our efforts and work with reformists in Pakistan, and our own governments, to make that change a reality."

CSW's National Director Stuart Windsor said: "This has been the most important visit we have made to Pakistan. We were truly able to give the persecuted religious minorities a voice at a high level, and we now aim to build on this in the future. We urge the international community to put the repeal of the blasphemy laws in Pakistan higher up the agenda."

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz told the delegation: "The single most important thing we can do today is to promote inter-faith harmony. If we all work hard at this, the world will be a better place."

Notes for editors.

CSW is an international human rights organization specializing in religious freedom. CSW has been working in Pakistan for over a decade.

The delegation consisted of the Labour MP for Stroud David Drew, CSW's National Director Stuart Windsor, CSW's Advocacy Officer Benedict Rogers and barrister Paul Diamond.

In addition to the Prime Minister, the Minister for Religious Affairs and the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the delegation met the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, the Minister of State for Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs, leaders of the Pakistan People's Party, and other Parliamentarians. They visited Islamabad and Lahore, and met the British High Commission, as well as human rights groups such as the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance, the National Commission for Justice and Peace and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. They had discussions with the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Lahore, Lawrence Saldanha, war veteran and human rights campaigner Group Captain (Rtd) Cecil Chaudhry, and met victims of persecution, including former blasphemy prisoners now in hiding.

President Musharraf introduced his theme of "enlightened moderation" for Islam in his address to the UN General Assembly in 2003. He said: "Islam is a faith of peace, harmony and justice. Islam is democracy in action. It upholds human rights, social equality, non-discrimination, freedom of speech. The protection of minorities is an article of faith in Islam. It does not discriminate on the basis of colour, creed or religion. Our faith is dynamic, promoting constant renewal and adaptation, through the process of 'ljtehad' (or interpretation through consultations). Islam's vision is not trapped in any one period of history; it is modern and futuristic. Islam must not be confused with the narrow vision of a few extremists ' Muslim nations must assume their responsibility for internal reform and renewal. They are at the cross roads. They must eschew extremism and confrontation. They must embrace the march of human civilization." In his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos in 2004, President Musharraf said: "We will not swerve from our goal of creating a moderate and progressive Islamic State as envisioned by our founding fathers. The task is daunting but our resolve is firm."