ISLAMABAD, September 24, 2026: Federal Minister for Human Rights Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar on Thursday met a European Parliamentary delegation led by Member of the European Parliament Ms Marry Khan and discussed Pakistan-European Union relations, human rights, legal matters, GSP+, geopolitical issues and other matters of mutual interest.
The delegation comprised Mr Dennis Hohloch, Mr Stanislav Stoyanov, Mr Tomasz Froelich, Mr Dan Paddock and Mr Moses.
During the meeting, Senator Tarar briefed the visiting lawmakers on Pakistan’s constitutional and legal system, the country’s human rights framework and relevant laws, and presented Pakistan’s perspective on these matters.
The minister said Pakistan’s domestic and legal issues should be viewed in their constitutional, legal, social and regional context. He noted that Pakistan had rendered significant sacrifices over several decades in the fight against terrorism and extremism, adding that these realities should be considered while assessing human rights and security-related issues in the country.
Senator Tarar said Pakistan’s legal system functioned in line with constitutional requirements, domestic laws and local realities. He also said constitutional and legal safeguards were available for the rights of religious minorities.
The minister also apprised the delegation of Pakistan’s cyber laws, saying they covered freedom of expression, access to information, cyber offences, financial fraud and other related offences. He said Pakistan had carried out a comparative review of its cyber laws with those of Europe, the Far East and North America, and offered to share the relevant document with the European delegation.
The European Parliamentary delegation acknowledged Pakistan’s geostrategic importance and the regional challenges faced by the country. It underlined the need to further strengthen cooperation between Pakistan and Europe in view of shared interests and common challenges.
Members of the delegation stressed that Pakistan’s human rights issues should be understood in their cultural, historical and geographical context.
The delegation also called for meaningful dialogue between Pakistan and the European Union on human rights, GSP+ and other matters. It emphasised the need to present Pakistan’s perspective more effectively before the European Parliament.
The European lawmakers further highlighted the importance of greater engagement and dialogue to address existing misunderstandings between Pakistan and Europe. They also proposed holding a conference at the European Parliament to promote better understanding of Pakistan’s perspective.
Both sides expressed their resolve to further deepen mutual understanding, parliamentary engagement and bilateral relations between Pakistan and Europe.
