ISLAMABAD, August 12, 2026: Federal Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar on Wednesday met European Union Ambassador to Pakistan Raimundas Karoblis at the Ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights, where both sides held detailed discussions on Pakistan-EU relations, GSP+, human rights priorities and other matters of mutual interest.
The EU ambassador was accompanied by a delegation. Minister of State for Law, Justice and Human Rights Barrister Aqeel Malik and Secretary, Ministry of Human Rights Abdul Khalique Shaikh also attended the meeting.
According to the ministry, the talks covered human rights priorities linked with GSP+, implementation of the National Action Plan on Human Rights 2026, and steps to improve the capacity and effective working of human rights institutions.
Senator Tarar briefed the EU delegation on the government’s measures regarding child rights and child protection. Human rights treaty reporting, follow-up mechanisms, prison reforms and related issues also came under discussion.
Ambassador Karoblis appreciated Pakistan’s progress in implementing its human rights commitments.
The federal minister said GSP+ status was a major opportunity for Pakistan and added that the country was determined to use it effectively for the promotion of human rights, democratic values and the rule of law.
He said the situation concerning child labour, child marriage and minority rights had improved. He also said the National Commission for Minorities was being activated soon to further strengthen the institutional framework for protecting minority rights.
Senator Tarar said the government was serious about ending violence against children, rape cases and gender discrimination, and was taking effective legal and institutional measures in this regard.
He said the government was making every effort to address gaps wherever they existed in the protection of human rights, adding that the process of legal and institutional reforms was continuing.
The minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to working with the European Union for the advancement of democratic values and human rights. He said Pakistan attached great importance to the protection of human rights and the rule of law.
Senator Tarar also expressed the government’s resolve to ensure more effective progress on GSP+ priorities related to human rights.
Both sides underlined the importance of Pakistan-EU cooperation in promoting human rights and democratic values, and agreed on the need to further strengthen mutual cooperation and engagement.
