The European Union (EU) has raised serious concerns about Pakistan’s human rights record and warned that the country must address long-standing issues if it wants to continue enjoying preferential trade access under the revised Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) from 2027.

The warning comes in the European Commission’s latest monitoring report covering the 2023–2025 period. The report, published jointly with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said Pakistan had “regressed in a number of areas while positive change was limited,” despite introducing several new laws and reforms.

EU Highlights Importance of GSP+ Trade Benefits

The warning carries major economic significance for Pakistan. The EU said Pakistan was the biggest beneficiary of the GSP+ programme last year. The scheme allows eligible countries to export goods to Europe with reduced or zero tariffs.

According to the European Commission, Pakistan received around €732 million in tariff exemptions in 2024. That amount represented nearly 9 per cent of the country's exports to the European Union. The EU also remains Pakistan’s largest export market, accounting for around 28 per cent of its total exports.

EU Recognises Some Positive Reforms

The report acknowledged that Pakistan had introduced several important legal reforms. These included establishing the National Commission for Minorities, narrowing the use of the death penalty, implementing rules under the Anti-Torture Act, introducing a domestic violence law for Islamabad Capital Territory and securing Pakistan’s first conviction for marital rape.

However, the Commission said legal reforms alone are not enough. “Most progress is of legislative and administrative nature and needs to be translated into real improvements on the ground.”

Enforced Disappearances Remain a Major Concern

The report focused heavily on Pakistan’s human rights situation, especially enforced disappearances and alleged extrajudicial killings in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The Commission said Pakistan’s Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances had closed more than 9,000 cases without identifying state responsibility or securing a single prosecution.

The EU also criticised Pakistan for not introducing a separate law that makes enforced disappearances a criminal offence, despite repeated recommendations from the United Nations.

Anti-Terror Laws Raise Fresh Concerns

The Commission also expressed concern over amendments to anti-terrorism laws in Balochistan and Punjab. According to the report, the new provisions could allow preventive detention without formal charges, trial or sufficient judicial oversight.

The EU warned that these powers could be used against political opponents, journalists, students, human rights activists and relatives of victims.

EU Says Media Freedom Has Declined

The report said freedom of expression has worsened in Pakistan despite new laws aimed at protecting journalists. It cited intimidation, harassment, violence against media professionals and the growing use of legal cases to silence journalists and lawyers reporting on sensitive issues.

The Commission also criticised provisions in Pakistan’s cybercrime, criminal defamation, blasphemy, sedition and counter-terrorism laws. It said vague legal definitions have created a “significant chilling effect” on journalists, minorities, human rights defenders and government critics. The report also highlighted internet shutdowns during the 2024 general elections, protests and unrest in Balochistan.

Blasphemy Laws and Minority Rights Under Scrutiny

The EU devoted a separate section of the report to Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. It said a so-called “blasphemy business group” trapped more than 800 people, mostly young men, through online extortion schemes during the reporting period.

Although authorities reportedly dismantled the network, the report said more than 300 wrongly accused individuals remained in prison as of April 2025. The Commission also noted that Pakistan has never prosecuted anyone for filing false blasphemy accusations.

The report said religious minorities, especially Ahmadi Muslims, continue to face discrimination, violence and criminal prosecution under existing laws.

It also highlighted attacks on places of worship, desecration of Ahmadi mosques and graves, and targeted killings while noting that hate crime prosecutions remain rare.

Judiciary and Political Rights Face Questions

The Commission also raised concerns about Pakistan’s judicial independence following recent constitutional amendments. It said the reforms have created questions about military accountability, the rule of law and fair trial protections.

The report also pointed to continuing problems such as delays in court cases and alleged intimidation of judges. The EU said political rights had deteriorated as well.

It referred to the detention of opposition leaders, including a former prime minister, and raised concerns over access to lawyers, medical treatment and fair trial guarantees.

The report added that military trials do not meet international standards under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The Commission also warned that civil society organisations now face stricter registration rules and tighter limits on foreign funding.

Labour Reforms Show Progress but Challenges Remain

The report also reviewed Pakistan’s performance on labour rights, environmental protection and governance. The EU welcomed Pakistan’s ratification of the International Labour Organisation’s 2014 Protocol to the Forced Labour Convention.

It also recognised the expansion of labour inspection systems. However, the Commission said enforcement remains weak. Forced labour continues to affect many workers, while child labour is declining only slowly despite provincial action plans.

Textile Exports Depend Heavily on GSP+

The EU noted that textiles and clothing account for around 70–76 per cent of Pakistan’s exports to Europe. These industries rely heavily on GSP+ tariff benefits.

EU imports from Pakistan reached €8.3 billion in 2024, recovering from €7.9 billion in 2023 after reaching €9.4 billion in 2022. About 90 per cent of Pakistan’s exports qualified for GSP+ benefits between 2022 and 2024. The utilisation rate increased to 95 per cent last year.

Future Access Depends on Human Rights Progress

The European Commission said Pakistan’s continued access to GSP+ will depend on concrete improvements before the revised framework takes effect on January 1, 2027.

“To ensure further GSP+ eligibility and compliance with international commitments, including in view of the revised GSP rules as of 2027, key priorities for future engagement include ensuring accountability for human rights violations, increased efforts against torture, prison and capital punishment reforms, reversing negative developments in relation to enforced disappearances and violations of freedom of expression,” the report said.

The Commission concluded that while Pakistan has introduced some legislative reforms, it must now deliver meaningful improvements in implementation, accountability and the protection of fundamental rights if it wants to retain preferential access to the European market.