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MP pledge over UK Pakistan family MP pledge over UK Pakistan family
(about 8 hours later)
An MP has said he is prepared to travel to Pakistan to help secure the return of a mother and her four children.An MP has said he is prepared to travel to Pakistan to help secure the return of a mother and her four children.
Liberal Democrat Paul Rowen said Asma Akhtar was being kept in Pakistan by her husband Mohammed Zahoor Akhtar, who has her passport. Liberal Democrat Paul Rowen said Asma Akhtar was being kept in Pakistan by her husband Mohammed Zahoor Akhtar, who has the children's passports.
Mr Akhtar has obtained a court order in Pakistan preventing the removal of his children from the country.Mr Akhtar has obtained a court order in Pakistan preventing the removal of his children from the country.
But Mr Rowen believes the Pakistan government will let the family, from Banbury, Oxfordshire, leave for the UK.But Mr Rowen believes the Pakistan government will let the family, from Banbury, Oxfordshire, leave for the UK.
'Sympathy''Sympathy'
Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells said his department would look "sympathetically" at Mr Rowen's plan to negotiate for the family's return.Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells said his department would look "sympathetically" at Mr Rowen's plan to negotiate for the family's return.
The family, including Mr Akhtar went on holiday to Dubai and Pakistan on 6 April but failed to return as planned on 26 April, with the father confiscating all their passports.The family, including Mr Akhtar went on holiday to Dubai and Pakistan on 6 April but failed to return as planned on 26 April, with the father confiscating all their passports.
When he refused to allow them to return, Mrs Akhtar escaped from her brother-in-law's house where she was being held and sought help from the High Commission.When he refused to allow them to return, Mrs Akhtar escaped from her brother-in-law's house where she was being held and sought help from the High Commission.
For several months Mrs Akhtar and her children stayed in a women's shelter in Islamabad.For several months Mrs Akhtar and her children stayed in a women's shelter in Islamabad.
Mrs Akhtar was granted an order by a British court in July making the children - aged between two and 10 - wards of the court. Mrs Akhtar was granted an order by a British court in July making the children - aged between two and eight - wards of the court.
And in November a High Court judge issued an urgent plea for the children to be returned to the UK.And in November a High Court judge issued an urgent plea for the children to be returned to the UK.
Mr Rowen became involved in the case after being approached by Mrs Akhtar's mother, Nasreen, who lives in his Rochdale constituency.Mr Rowen became involved in the case after being approached by Mrs Akhtar's mother, Nasreen, who lives in his Rochdale constituency.
Eid presentEid present
On Thursday in the House of Commons, Mr Rowen said: "It is clear to me that the Pakistan government is prepared to allow Asma and the children to return to the UK.On Thursday in the House of Commons, Mr Rowen said: "It is clear to me that the Pakistan government is prepared to allow Asma and the children to return to the UK.
"If the minister will agree to the issue of the passports I will travel to Pakistan to negotiate their return."If the minister will agree to the issue of the passports I will travel to Pakistan to negotiate their return.
"Can the minister not think of a better Christmas or Eid present?""Can the minister not think of a better Christmas or Eid present?"
Mr Howells warned that the UK can only operate within the confines of the law and cannot interfere in foreign court proceedings.Mr Howells warned that the UK can only operate within the confines of the law and cannot interfere in foreign court proceedings.
However, he added: "I know he feels that, above all, it's the welfare of Asma and her children that count most and we share that view very deeply.However, he added: "I know he feels that, above all, it's the welfare of Asma and her children that count most and we share that view very deeply.
"And we will attempt to help the honourable gentleman in whatever way we can."And we will attempt to help the honourable gentleman in whatever way we can.
"I'm not giving him an undertaking that his plan is one that can be agreed by the Foreign Office but we will look very, very closely at it and look at it very sympathetically.""I'm not giving him an undertaking that his plan is one that can be agreed by the Foreign Office but we will look very, very closely at it and look at it very sympathetically."