When Ambassador Frans van Daele, special envoy of the European Union for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief, visited Pakistan, key officials missed out on engaging with him, leaving room for speculation on the country’s stance on religious freedoms. Despite meetings with top officials, certain key voices in the government did not take the opportunity to meet with the EU diplomat, raising concerns about Pakistan’s commitment to upholding human rights obligations. This fact-finding mission is crucial as it impacts Pakistan’s GSP+ status for duty-free exports to European markets, with a review scheduled for 2027.
Ambassador Daele emphasized the importance of implementing international conventions to maintain GSP+ status, with a monitoring mission planned for early 2025. His interactions with various stakeholders highlighted the EU’s support for enhancing cooperation with Pakistan. The visit also included meetings with provincial officials and religious leaders to discuss the state of freedom of religion and belief in Pakistan and promote diversity and respect for all faiths.
As Pakistan navigates its path towards GSP+ status, the engagement with the EU delegation becomes crucial for demonstrating a genuine commitment to human rights.
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