The minister of state for the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan is a mid-level position in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in the British government. Stephen Doughty MP was appointed to the role by Prime Minister Andy Burnham in July 2026.
History The office was previously held by Sayeeda Warsi, Baroness Warsi when it was styled as Senior Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and Joyce Anelay, Baroness Anelay of St Johns when it was styled as Minister of State for South Asia and the Commonwealth.
Responsibilities The minister has the following ministerial responsibilities:
Middle East and North Africa Afghanistan and Pakistan consular and crisis operations
Ministers NamePortraitTerm of officePolitical partyP.M.F.Sec.Minister of State for International Energy PolicyDavid Howell, Baron Howell of Guildford14 May 20104 September 2012ConservativeCameronHagueSenior Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth AffairsSayeeda Warsi, Baroness Warsi4 September 20125 August 2014ConservativeCameronHagueMinister of State for South Asia and the Commonwealth Joyce Anelay, Baroness Anelay of St Johns6 August 201412 June 2017ConservativeTariq Ahmad, Baron Ahmad of Wimbledon13 June 20172 September 2020ConservativeMayJohnsonHuntRaabMinister of State for South and Central Asia, North Africa, United Nations and the CommonwealthTariq Ahmad, Baron Ahmad of Wimbledon2 September 202022 September 2022ConservativeJohnsonMinister of State for the Middle East, South Asia and the United NationsTariq Ahmad, Baron Ahmad of Wimbledon22 September 202230 October 2022ConservativeTrussCleverlyMinister of State for the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and the United NationsTariq Ahmad, Baron Ahmad of Wimbledon30 October 202214 November 2023ConservativeSunakCleverlyMinister of State for the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, Commonwealth and United NationsTariq Ahmad, Baron Ahmad of Wimbledon14 November 20235 July 2024ConservativeSunakCameronParliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Middle East, Afghanistan and PakistanHamish Falconer18 July 202420 July 2026LabourStarmerLammyCooperMinister of State for the Middle East, Afghanistan and PakistanStephen Doughty21 July 2026IncumbentLabourBurnhamMiliband
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