KEY POINTS
- EU monitoring mission meets human rights minister in Islamabad.
- Pakistan aims to sustain preferential trade scheme supporting major exports.
- Tarar stresses Pakistan–EU cooperation for reforms and sustainable development.
- Human rights progress credited to GSP+ compliance requirements.
- Pakistan elected again to UN Human Rights Council.
- Reforms since 2014 strengthen protections for vulnerable groups.
- NCHR retains prestigious “A” status under GANHRI standards.
- Major gender initiatives include BISP support for 9.1 million women.
- Pakistan outlines child protection reforms, including ZARRA and new laws.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday reaffirmed its strong and unwavering commitment to the European Union (EU)’s Generalised System of Preferences (GSP+) arrangement and its linked human rights obligations.
In a meeting with a visiting EU monitoring mission, Pakistan signalled that it intends to sustain the preferential trade scheme that underpins billions of dollars in exports.
Federal Minister for Human Rights Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar received the delegation at the Ministry of Human Rights, led by Sergio Balibrea, Advisor to the GSP+ Directorate (DG Trade), along with Ambassador Raimundas Karoblis. Federal Secretary Abdul Khalique Sheikh was also present.
Tarar underscored that Pakistan–EU cooperation remains central to governance reforms, institutional strengthening, and sustainable development.
“As one of the largest beneficiaries of GSP+, Pakistan credited the scheme for helping advance domestic human rights protections and align national laws with international conventions,” he said.
“Pakistan’s recent election to the UN Human Rights Council demonstrated international confidence in the country’s human rights trajectory.” – Azam Nazeer Tarar, Federal Minister for Human Rights
He went on to add, “Pakistan’s recent election to the UN Human Rights Council demonstrated international confidence in the country’s human rights trajectory.”
Reforms since 2014
The visiting delegation was briefed on key legislative and policy reforms undertaken since 2014.
These include strengthened protections for women, children, labour, marginalised groups and persons with disabilities; ongoing implementation of National Action Plans on Human Rights and on Business and Human Rights; and improvements in federal–provincial coordination.
Institutional progress was also highlighted: the National Commission for Human Rights has retained its “A” status under Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), while the National Commission on the Rights of Child and National Commission on the Status of Women continue to function independently.
Gender equality measures
The ministry pointed to major gender-equality initiatives such as the National Gender Policy Framework (2022), gender-responsive budgeting, and the Benazir Income Support Programme — which now supports more than 9.1 million women — as well as the Prime Minister’s Women Empowerment Package.
Child rights efforts
On child rights, Pakistan outlined the establishment of the National Commission on the Rights of Child, Zainab Alert, Response and Recovery Agency (ZARRA), and Child Protection Institutes, alongside progress on child marriage restraint laws and ongoing efforts to curb child labour, online exploitation and rising numbers of out-of-school children.
Media safety commitments
Pakistan also reaffirmed its commitment to freedom of expression and the safety of media workers, noting the work of the National Commission for Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals.
“The government remains fully committed to meeting its treaty obligations and will present a detailed account of achievements, ongoing challenges, and future plans during the delegation’s visit.” – Azam Nazeer Tarar, Federal Minister for Human Rights
Updates were shared on sensitive rights areas, including reductions in capital offences, the implementation of the Mercy Petition Policy, enforcement of the Torture and Custodial Death Act, and the resolution of over 85 per cent of cases taken up by the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances.
The EU delegation acknowledged Pakistan’s progress but flagged several areas requiring further attention, particularly around strengthened institutions, improved legislation and more effective implementation of the 27 core UN conventions tied to GSP+.
“The government remains fully committed to meeting its treaty obligations and will present a detailed account of achievements, remaining challenges and future plans during the delegation’s ongoing visit,” Tarar assured the visitors.
Future cooperation
Pakistan also welcomed EU suggestions on improving data integration, inter-provincial coordination and reporting mechanisms, noting that these points are already being incorporated into ongoing reforms.
The government further appreciated continued EU–Pakistan collaboration under the Huqooq-e-Pakistan Project and reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining GSP+ progress and promoting an inclusive, rights-based future.
