Message from the EU

The European Union’s Special Representative for Human Rights, Olof Skoog, has put democracy, human rights and international humanitarian law at the forefront of discussions during his ongoing visit to Pakistan. While the EU representative has carefully avoided direct comments on former prime minister Imran Khan’s incarceration, he has expressed concern over civilians being tried in military courts. So, while the government may be tempted to ignore the issue taken with military trials, it may be remembered that this visit comes at a crucial time, with Pakistan’s GSP Plus status up for review in June – an evaluation that will determine whether the country retains its preferential trade access to European markets. Given Pakistan’s economic challenges, this review carries real consequences. Skoog’s meetings with key government figures – including Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Army Chief Gen Asim Munir, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif – are also indicative of how much the EU engages with all facets of governance in Pakistan. But these official meetings have not been the only focus of his visit. By engaging with civil society representatives, business leaders, and minority communities, the EU has made it clear that it would also like to hear perspectives beyond the government’s carefully curated narrative. This matters because Pakistan’s human rights record is a key factor in the GSP Plus assessment, and Brussels would probably like to know what’s happening on the ground.

The EU’s concerns are neither new nor symbolic. Every GSP Plus review has raised alarms over Pakistan’s record on fundamental rights, especially freedom of expression, press freedom and protections for minorities. Skoog’s comments suggest that these concerns are still at the forefront of the EU’s review process. The stakes too are rather high – the GSP Plus status brings nearly a billion dollars in tariff exemptions, making the EU Pakistan’s largest export market. But this access is conditional. It is tied to clear human rights commitments, including fair judicial processes and adherence to international conventions. This is why any reservations the EU has over Pakistan’s human rights record could complicate the country’s GSP Plus standing. Civilians being tried in military courts is already a practice that has long been condemned by human rights organisations, viewed as a violation of due process and the right to a fair trial. The EU’s engagement with Pakistan is rooted in democracy and rule of law, and Pakistan cannot afford to treat this review as a mere formality.

With an already fragile economy, Pakistan needs this preferential trade access to Europe. However, retaining GSP Plus status requires more than diplomatic meetings and reassurances. The EU is looking for concrete reform – measurable progress on human rights, judicial independence and press freedom. The EU’s representative’s visit spells out clearly a few simple facts: there is no free lunch; when you make an international commitment as a state, you are supposed to stick to that; and ignoring such concerns comes at a cost. The government must take these concerns seriously, and hopefully not just to retain trade benefits.