A fact-finding mission by Ambassador Frans van Daele, the European Union’s special envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief, concluded in Pakistan with mixed results. Although the envoy met key officials such as Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, several high-ranking officials reportedly skipped planned meetings, raising concerns among diplomatic circles.
Insiders revealed that Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin, and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif were among those who did not meet the EU diplomat, sparking the impression that certain key voices were not ready to engage on the topic. This omission could impact Pakistan’s standing, especially regarding its eligibility for the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status, which provides duty-free access to European markets and is set for review in 2027.
The visit was intended to assess the state of religious freedoms in Pakistan ahead of a monitoring mission scheduled for 2025, a critical factor for the country’s reapplication for the GSP+ scheme. Despite the missed meetings, Ambassador van Daele expressed the EU’s continued support for Pakistan and emphasized the importance of upholding international conventions related to human rights.
During his week-long visit, the ambassador also met provincial officials, religious leaders, civil society organizations, and human rights defenders to discuss the state of freedom of religion and belief in Pakistan.
