THE Government has stepped up pressure on the Pakistani authorities to bring to justice the killers of three members of a East Lancashire family.

As the fifth anniversary of the murders of Mohammed Yousaf, 51, his wife Pervaz, 49, and their 22-year-old daughter Tania approaches, Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson raised the issue in Parliament.

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The Nelson family were gunned down in a graveyard in Gujrat in May 2010 after a family wedding. Two suspects are currently on bail pending trial and three others have fled Pakistan.

Mr Stephenson asked Commons Leader William Hague: “It is now almost five years since the brutal murder of three of my constituents, Mohammed Yousaf, Pervez Yousaf and Tania Yousaf.

“I led a debate on the murders in October, 2010, and have kept up pressure ever since, even getting the Prime Minister involved in the case in 2012, yet the family still do not have justice. What further pressure we can bring to bear on the Pakistani authorities?”

Mr Hague replied: “These murders were a terrible tragedy and the thoughts of all MPs will be with the family whose grief over the past five years can only have been exacerbated by the fact that they have not had justice.

“I understand that a trial is going on following the arrest of two suspects who are now on bail while three other suspects have been declared as absconding.

“ I will ensure through the Foreign Office that consular officials follow up with the family and that high commission staff in Islamabad again press the Pakistani authorities to ensure that progress is made as quickly as possible.”

Junior foreign office minister Tobias Ellwood has written to Mr Stephenson to say consular officials will meet senior officers. He said the UK government wanted Interpol efforts to catch the three ‘absconded’ suspects stepped up .

Mr Stephenson said: “I am pleased that the Foreign Office is now exploring other possible avenues.”

Family spokesman Abdul Hussain said: “The family are grateful to Mr Stephenson.”

“It is now almost five years since the killing and they are determined those responsible should be brought to justice and grateful the British government is once again stepping up the pressure on the Pakistani authorities to bring a resolution.”

Last September the couple’s son Imran Yousaf died in his sleep aged 24.