EU Envoy Highlights Pakistan's Religious Freedom Issues Amid Mixed Diplomatic Engagement

A fact-finding mission by EU's Special Envoy, Frans van Daele, in Pakistan faced mixed diplomatic participation, potentially affecting outcomes. Senior Pakistani officials engaged in discussions, but other key voices were notably absent. The visit aimed to assess religious freedom ahead of the GSP+ monitoring mission in 2025.

A Brussels special envoy concluded a fact-finding mission in Pakistan on Friday, with diplomats suggesting outcomes could have been more favorable had top officials participated fully, according to Dawn. Frans van Daele, the EU's Ambassador and Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief, met several high-ranking officials during his week-long stay.

Despite the presence of Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, and Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch, some key officials skipped meetings with the EU diplomat. A diplomatic source noted, 'The meetings that did not happen confirmed the impression that certain voices—key voices on these issues—are not ready to engage.'

The EU mission aimed to gather insights on religious freedom in Pakistan before the 2025 monitoring mission. The status of religious freedoms is pivotal for retaining duty-free access to European markets under the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) programme. Ambassador Daele engaged with federal and provincial officials, parliamentarians, religious leaders, NGOs, civil society organizations, human rights advocates, and local communities, discussing the state of religious freedom and fostering respect for diversity of belief.

Ambassador Daele indicated that the next GSP+ monitoring mission to Pakistan is anticipated in 2025. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)