WANSTEAD MP Harry Cohen led a ten-strong delegation of British politicians to Pakistan where they visited earthquake refugees and discussed education, trade and aid.

Mr Cohen's visit coincided with the release of British citizen Mirza Tahir Hussain, who spent 18 years on death row for a killing he claimed was in self-defence.

The MP praised Prince Charles, Prime Minister Tony Blair, diplomats at the British High Commission and Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf for their efforts in helping secure Mr Hussain's return to Britain.

Mr Cohen's team met refugees of the recent earthquake at Muzzaffarabad. Mr Cohen and the delegation were thanked by Pakistanis for £124m donated by Britain to help the earthquake's victims.

The money paid for helicopters and search and rescue teams which helped to save lives after the natural disaster in 2005 which claimed 80,000 lives.

The delegation discussed security, Afghanistan, Kashmir, education, trade and aid, including the reconstruction of the country's infrastructure.

During Mr Cohen's visit the Protection of Women Bill was passed by Pakistan's national assembly.

This repealed the previous Pakistani law whereby women who have been raped could be imprisoned for adultery unless they were able to find four male witnesses in their favour.

He welcomed the reform and said that the previous law was objectionable.

Mr Cohen's delegation visited Islamabad, Lahore, Mirpur and Muzzaffrabad and met the chairman of the senate, speaker of the national assembly, the governor of the Punjab, the minister for commerce and the leader of the opposition.