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Hindustan Times
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
UK parliamentary panel slams Pakistan for state-backed persecution of minorities
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief (APPG FoRB) organised a session at the UK Parliament's Committee Room 7, to expose the ongoing religious persecution of minorities in Pakistan. UK Parliamentarians, human rights advocates, and community representatives provided testimony and presented documented evidence revealing that atrocities against minorities in Pakistan are not isolated incidents. (Representational image/AFP) The gathering brought to light the systematic and state-sponsored nature of these abuses, painting a grim picture of life for religious minorities under the shadow of Pakistan's military and political machinery. Parliamentarians, human rights advocates, and community representatives provided testimony and presented documented evidence revealing that atrocities against Hindus, Christians, Shias, and Ahmadis are not isolated incidents. Instead, they are part of a deliberate strategy executed with the backing of the Pakistani state and military establishment. UK MP Jim Shannon, who is a vocal advocate for global religious freedoms, opened the session with strong condemnation of Pakistan's role, stating that these crimes represent an orchestrated campaign of oppression rather than rogue acts of extremism. One of the most harrowing issues raised was the large-scale abduction and forced religious conversion of minor girls from Hindu and Christian communities, particularly in the Sindh province. It is estimated that between 500 and 1,000 girls are abducted each year, often trafficked through religious shrines run by politically connected clerics operating with the protection of the state and army. The discussion also highlighted a disturbing pattern of attacks on religious sites, including Hindu temples and dharamshalas, that are frequently burned down in coordinated assaults. These attacks, such as the 2023 rocket attack on a temple in Kashmir, are carried out with impunity and have contributed to a growing climate of fear among minority populations. The panel emphasised that these acts are not random but appear to be part of a broader effort to erase the cultural and religious heritage of non-Muslim communities. The targeting of Shia Muslims and Ahmadis was also addressed, with testimonies pointing to enforced disappearances, sectarian violence, and the systematic denial of religious rights. In many cases, law enforcement agencies are either inactive or complicit, emboldening extremist groups to operate without consequence. The resulting fear and insecurity have driven thousands of minority families, particularly in Sindh, to flee their ancestral homes. Jeay Sindh Freedom Movement (JSFM) Chairman Sohail Abro, along with representatives from the Christian and Ahmadiyya communities, called on the international community to hold Pakistan accountable. The session was also attended by UK MPs Fleur Anderson and David Smith, the latter of whom presented detailed statistics and firsthand accounts documenting Pakistan's human rights violations. Representatives of the Jammu and Kashmir Global British League (JKGBL), including Ayub Iqbal and Hasam Rafique, lent their support and expressed solidarity with persecuted communities. The session concluded with an urgent call to action for the international community to no longer turn a blind eye to the religious persecution unfolding in Pakistan under the protection of its state and military apparatus. Delegates and experts emphasised the need for immediate international condemnation and accountability, urging independent investigations into forced conversions, child abductions, and attacks on religious institutions. The panel also called for targeted sanctions against those in the Pakistani military and political establishment found responsible for these grave abuses, in line with the UK's Magnitsky framework. Furthermore, they stressed the importance of including Pakistan's religious persecution in both the UN Human Rights Council's agenda and the UK's annual report on Freedom of Religion or Belief.
India Gazette
13 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Religious persecution of minorities in Pakistan exposed at UK Parliament, state and military-backed atrocities unveiled
London [UK], July 4 (ANI): The All Party Parliamentary Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief (APPG FoRB) organised a session at the UK Parliament's Committee Room 7, to expose the ongoing religious persecution of minorities in Pakistan. The gathering brought to light the systematic and state-sponsored nature of these abuses, painting a grim picture of life for religious minorities under the shadow of Pakistan's military and political machinery. Parliamentarians, human rights advocates, and community representatives provided testimony and presented documented evidence revealing that atrocities against Hindus, Christians, Shias, and Ahmadis are not isolated incidents. Instead, they are part of a deliberate strategy executed with the backing of the Pakistani state and military establishment. UK MP Jim Shannon, who is a vocal advocate for global religious freedoms, opened the session with strong condemnation of Pakistan's role, stating that these crimes represent an orchestrated campaign of oppression rather than rogue acts of extremism. One of the most harrowing issues raised was the large-scale abduction and forced religious conversion of minor girls from Hindu and Christian communities, particularly in the Sindh province. It is estimated that between 500 and 1,000 girls are abducted each year, often trafficked through religious shrines run by politically connected clerics operating with the protection of the state and army. The discussion also highlighted a disturbing pattern of attacks on religious sites, including Hindu temples and dharamshalas, that are frequently burned down in coordinated assaults. These attacks, such as the 2023 rocket attack on a temple in Kashmir, are carried out with impunity and have contributed to a growing climate of fear among minority populations. The panel emphasised that these acts are not random but appear to be part of a broader effort to erase the cultural and religious heritage of non-Muslim communities. The targeting of Shia Muslims and Ahmadis was also addressed, with testimonies pointing to enforced disappearances, sectarian violence, and the systematic denial of religious rights. In many cases, law enforcement agencies are either inactive or complicit, emboldening extremist groups to operate without consequence. The resulting fear and insecurity have driven thousands of minority families, particularly in Sindh, to flee their ancestral homes. Jeay Sindh Freedom Movement (JSFM) Chairman Sohail Abro, along with representatives from the Christian and Ahmadiyya communities, called on the international community to hold Pakistan accountable. The session was also attended by UK MPs Fleur Anderson and David Smith, the latter of whom presented detailed statistics and firsthand accounts documenting Pakistan's human rights violations. Representatives of the Jammu and Kashmir Global British League (JKGBL), including Ayub Iqbal and Hasam Rafique, lent their support and expressed solidarity with persecuted communities. The session concluded with an urgent call to action for the international community to no longer turn a blind eye to the religious persecution unfolding in Pakistan under the protection of its state and military apparatus. Delegates and experts emphasised the need for immediate international condemnation and accountability, urging independent investigations into forced conversions, child abductions, and attacks on religious institutions. The panel also called for targeted sanctions against those in the Pakistani military and political establishment found responsible for these grave abuses, in line with the UK's Magnitsky framework. Furthermore, they stressed the importance of including Pakistan's religious persecution in both the UN Human Rights Council's agenda and the UK's annual report on Freedom of Religion or Belief. (ANI)
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
The toll it takes: Looking back at the times MPs cried in the Commons amid mystery over Chancellor Rachel Reeves' tears during PMQs
The House of Commons has witnessed fiery clashes, impassioned pleas, and witty verbal sparring, but every so often, Parliament takes a teary tone. Watch below for a round-up of the times MPs were overcome with emotion. Tears roll down Chancellor Rachel Reeves ' cheek during PMQs Tears rolled down to Chancellor Rachel Reeves' cheek during PMQs yesterday as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer refused to say she was secure in her job, as he was battered over his welfare surrender. She is said to have admitted to Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle that she was 'under so much pressure' minutes before taking her seat in the Commons. Disabled Labour MP's emotional reaction to Welfare Reform Bill Disabled Labour MP Marie Tidball broke down in tears as she urged the Government to reverse proposed cuts to PIPs on 1st July, saying she was voting against it with a 'heavy and broken heart'. She said the payments 'helped build the bridge to the deinstitutionalisation of disabled people'. DUP MP breaks down recalling his mother-in-law's death DUP MP Jim Shannon could not hold back his tears, recalling how his mother-in-law died alone during the Covid-19 pandemic. The emotional moment came about as he asked if a 'full and complete disclosure' of information would be made to police, who were then investigating the 'Partygate' scandal, in January 2022. Rosie Duffield moves MPs to tears sharing domestic abuse story MP Rosie Duffield delivered a poignant speech on her domestic abuse ordeal, moving colleagues to tears, in October 2019. She spoke during a debate about the Domestic Abuse Bill, revealing how she suffered verbal abuse and financial control. Rachel Reeves bursts into tears paying tribute to MP Jo Cox Rachel Reeves, was overcome with emotion as she paid tribute to MP Jo Cox, who died after being shot and stabbed multiple times, ahead of a constituency surgery. Reeves burst into tears as she spoke about how the slain MP's children would not be able to see their mother again, in June 2016. MP struggles to speak after hearing story about starving child Heidi Allen, then Conservative MP, was visibly emotional and struggled to speak after hearing Labour's Frank Field talk about a young boy who was 'crying through hunger'. She told MPs that she 'doesn't know where to start after that' as she stood up to respond, in March 2018. Mark Francois' tearful tribute to Sir David Amess MP Conservative MP Mark Francois paid a tearful tribute to his friend, Sir David Amess MP, who was murdered at a constituency surgery by a British ISIS sympathiser Ali Harbi Ali. Francois choked up as he said Sir David was the 'best bloke he ever knew', in October 2021. Labour's Naz Shah in tears during Gaza debate Labour MP Naz Shah wiped at her eyes with a tissue in the Commons after telling MPs of the plight of children in Gaza and calling on the UK to 'ramp up its effort to end the bloodshed'. The Bradford West MP, who was a shadow Home Office minister at the time, then watched on with a solemn look as the Government responded to her question, in November 2023. MP's emotional speech about the loss of her baby Labour MP Vicky Foxcroft delivered an emotional speech, opening up about the loss of her newborn daughter Veronica, at five days old. Speaking during a Baby Loss Awareness Week discussion in October 2016, she said it was 'the hardest speech she has ever had to write'.
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
DWP urged to give early State Pension access to people with a terminal illness
People can only claim the State Pension when they reach the official age of retirement, which is currently 66. Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MP Jim Shannon has urged the UK Government to consider the 'potential merits of allowing early State Pension access for people with a terminal illness'. However, Pensions Minister Torsten Bell explained that the State Pension can only be accessed when someone reaches the official age of retirement, which is currently 66. In a written response to the Strangford MP, Mr Bell highlighted that people nearing the end of their life can gain faster access to financial support from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) through the 'Special Rules for End of Life'. You can find out more about this on here. He explained: 'This enables people nearing the end of their lives to get faster, easier access to certain benefits, without needing to attend a medical assessment, serve waiting periods and in most cases, receive the highest rate of benefit.' In the written response earlier this week, the Pensions Minister said: 'There has been no recent assessment. The principle of having a State Pension age that is the same for everybody has the merit of simplicity and clarity through providing an important trigger moment for planning purposes. It has always been the case that nobody can claim their State Pension before they reach their State Pension age. 'For those nearing the end of their life, the Government's priority is to provide people with financial support quickly and compassionately. The main way the Department does this is through the Special Rules for End of Life. 'These enable people who are nearing the end of their lives to get faster, easier access to certain benefits, without needing to attend a medical assessment, serve waiting periods and in most cases, receive the highest rate of benefit.' These rules apply to five benefits that support people with health conditions or disabilities: Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Disability Living Allowance (DLA) Attendance Allowance Universal Credit Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Online petition calling for early access to State Pension A new online petition is urging the UK Government to give older people on disability benefits early access to their State Pension. The State Pension age is currently 66 for both men and women, but is set to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028. Petition creator George Bolgar has put forward a proposal that every person over 60 with a disability 'who has been unemployed for at least five years should be given the choice to retire and claim the State Pension immediately'. The 'allow elderly disabled people to claim the State Pension early' petition has been posted on the Petitions Parliament website. At 10,000 signatures of support it would be entitled to a written response from the UK Government, at 100,000, it would be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in Parliament. The petition states: 'We think that any disabled person aged 60 who has been unemployed for at least five years should be given the choice to retire and claim the State Pension immediately. 'We think that keeping people on the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) unemployment list when there is no chance of them ever becoming employed again is extra work for the DWP and extra stress for the disabled person. 'We think that once someone is above 60 years old and unemployed their likelihood of being employable is extremely reduced.' State Pension age rise The State Pension age is set to start rising from 66 to 67 next year, with the increase due to be completed for all men and women across the UK by 2028. The planned change to the official age of retirement has been in legislation since 2014 with a further rise from 67 to 68 set to be implemented between 2044 and 2046. The Pensions Act 2014 brought the increase in the State Pension age from 66 to 67 forward by eight years. The UK Government also changed the way in which the increase in State Pension age is phased so rather than reaching State Pension age on a specific date, people born between March 6, 1961 and April 5, 1977 will be able to claim the State Pension once they reach 67. It's important to be aware of these upcoming changes now, especially if you have a retirement plan in place. Everyone affected by changes to their State Pension age will receive a letter from the DWP well in advance. Under the Pensions Act 2007 the State Pension age for men and women will increase from 67 to 68 between 2044 and 2046. The Pensions Act 2014 provides for a regular review of the State Pension age, at least once every five years. The review will be based around the idea people should be able to spend a certain proportion of their adult life drawing a State Pension. A review of the planned rise to 68 is due before the end of this decade and had originally been scheduled by the then Conservative government to take place two years after the general election - which would have been 2026. Any review of the State Pension age will take into account life expectancy along with a range of other factors relevant to setting the State Pension age. After the review has reported, the UK Government may then choose to bring forward changes to the State Pension age. However, any proposals would have to go through Parliament before becoming law. Check your State Pension age online Your State Pension age is the earliest age you can start receiving your State Pension. It may be different to the age you can get a workplace or personal pension. Anyone of any age can use the online tool at to check their State Pension age, which can be an essential part of planning your retirement. You can use the State Pension age tool to check: When you will reach State Pension age Your Pension Credit qualifying age When you will be eligible for free bus travel - this is at age 60 in Scotland Check your State Pension age online here.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
100,000 unpaid carers paying off 'cliff-edge' benefits debt to DWP
Newly released government figures suggest that there are still nearly 100,000 unpaid carers across the UK still are repaying carer's allowance debts. The numbers, revealed in a written question to the government on Monday, show that 99,349 of carer's allowance claimants need to repay the government because their earnings were over the carer's allowance limit. Under current rules, unpaid carers who look after someone for more than 35 hours a week can claim the allowance of up to £151 per week. However, if carers are found to go over this limit by just a few pence, they need to pay back 100% of their allowance for that week - which is currently £81.90. In some cases, carers were overpaid by the department of work and pensions without being notified, leaving them with up to £20,000 in debt. The issue has sparked anger among campaigners. While the government has pledged to investigate the impact of the cliff edge, some unpaid carers are still facing "unforgivable" legal action over their debts. The written question, from DUP MP Jim Shannon, asked how many carers have an overpayment debt as a result of breaching the earnings limit. Andrew Weston, a DWP minister, said that 143,922 across the UK overall had an outstanding carer's allowance debt. However, Weston said the table "will include people who are no longer receiving carer's allowance, people who are no longer carers and people who made fraudulent claims and were never entitled to carer's allowance." Postcode area Volume of customers with an outstanding CA debt Volume of Customers with an outstanding debt with the r-referral overpayment reason of 'earnings over CA limit' English postcode 116,874 81,503 Welsh postcode 7,657 5,359 Scottish postcode 13,922 9,112 Northern-Irish postcode 5,469 3,375 He added that, from April, the government will boost the carer's allowance earnings threshold by £45 a week to £196. "This is the biggest ever cash increase in the earnings threshold for carer's allowance, benefitting more than 60,000 carers by 2029/30," he added. Over a six-year period, outstanding carer's allowance overpayment debt affecting more than 130,000 people has risen by £100m to more than £250m. In December 2024, a report by the National Audit Office public spending watchdog found that the number of people with outstanding debt has risen every year since 2018, and was up from 80,169 people to 136,730 in 2023/24. In its report, the NAO noted the so-called 'cliff edge' created by the current rules, meaning a claimant – who by law must inform DWP promptly if their circumstances change – is either entitled to the whole allowance or none of it, and said this can 'quickly build up significant overpayments'. The report stated: 'This means it is important to identify an overpayment early or, better still, prevent it from occurring.' In October 2024, the government announced it was launching a review into the issue, looking at overpayments; what changes can be made to reduce the risk of more carers being affected; and what the department can do to support carers already in debt. The Carers UK charity has called for a prompt implementation of reforms to address systemic issues in the way carer's allowance is paid. In a report it presented to the government last July, carers told the charity they had received overpayments between £150 and £20,000, with the average overpayment being £4,000. As a consequence, it warned, carers are left repaying debts over many years, causing many financial difficulties as well as having a significant impact on their mental health. A DWP spokesperson told Yahoo News: 'Where overpayments do occur, the Department has a duty to the taxpayer to protect public funds and to ask for money to be paid back. We remain committed to working with anyone who is struggling with their repayment terms and will always look to negotiate sustainable and affordable repayment plans.'
