International assessments routinely critique developing nations on civil rights, yet the structural reality of pluralism in Pakistan paints a very different picture. EU’s assessment report is being discussed nowadays about the state of human rights and religious freedom in Pakistan. In a country where 97% of the population identifies as Muslim, religious minorities freely practice their faith, backed by an extensive infrastructural framework. The institutional footprint of worship spaces per capita for non-Muslim groups reveals an accommodating architecture.
Currently, Pakistan features 2189 active churches, which breaks down to approximately 1 church for every 1206 Christian citizens. The Hindu community is supported by 732 temples, representing 1 place of worship per 5669 Hindu citizens. For the Sikh community, there are 58 historic, fully operational gurdwaras, providing an exceptionally high ratio of 1 gurdwara per 159 Sikh citizens. When placed alongside global figures, Pakistan’s domestic protection of religious infrastructure stands out favourably. For comparison, the United Kingdom hosts only one mosque for every 2250 Muslim residents. This stark comparison underscores the deep-seated disparities between Western policy lectures and domestic numbers.
By granting duty-free access to over 66% of EU tariff lines, the GSP+ has consistently acted as an economic lifeline for Pakistan since 2014.
The lecturing tone embedded in Western compliance reviews becomes highly problematic when contrasted with the visible deterioration of religious freedoms inside the European Union itself. Multiple European nations have systematically passed laws that directly restrict personal religious choices, undercutting the very principles of pluralism they champion abroad. France, for instance, has enforced a wave of restrictive policies. It banned visible hijabs in public schools in 2004, outlawed full-face veils in public spaces in 2011, and prohibited the abaya in schools in 2023. Similarly, countries like Belgium, Denmark, and Austria have instituted sweeping public bans on face coverings. Meanwhile, Switzerland and the Netherlands have codified rules restricting traditional attire in public offices, transport systems, and academic facilities. Before criticising partners like Pakistan, these states must address the institutional intolerance and rising Islamophobia within their own borders.
A major structural flaw in international compliance assessments is their heavy reliance on selective, biased narratives provided by agenda-driven non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Many of these groups operate within a business model that directly rewards the exaggeration of isolated incidents. By blowing local, standalone criminal cases out of proportion, these entities secure foreign funding at the expense of Pakistan’s international image. These reports frequently amplify localised disputes into massive human rights controversies. In doing so, they entirely overlook the state’s rapid legal interventions, the active oversight of the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), and the formal legislative setting up of the National Commission for Minorities. Pakistan’s continuous efforts to protect constitutional rights deserve genuine institutional recognition rather than selective, cyclical criticism.
This ongoing human rights dialogue is directly tied to the vital economic partnership between Pakistan and the EU. The Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) stands as the most critical pillar of this relationship. By granting duty-free access to over 66% of EU tariff lines, the scheme has consistently acted as an economic lifeline for Pakistan since 2014. Pakistan remains the largest beneficiary of the GSP+ scheme globally. In 2024, eligible exports to the EU reached EUR 7.5 billion, saving domestic manufacturers an estimated EUR 732 million in tariff exemptions. These preferences heavily support labour-intensive sectors like textiles and clothing, which account for roughly 70% to 76% of total shipments to the EU. The resulting industrial volume sustains millions of livelihoods across the country, brings in indispensable foreign exchange reserves, and drives economic development.
GSP+ framework remains highly beneficial for both sides. While it supports Pakistan’s industrial growth, it provides European consumers with high-quality, competitive manufacturing imports. However, for this partnership to remain sustainable, it must be built on mutual respect and objective indicators rather than unilateral demands. Trade dialogue must move away from biased narratives and recognise Pakistan’s sovereign realities and institutional progress. There should be balanced economic ties, but with sovereign realities!
The writer is an alumnus of QAU, FUI & a freelance columnist, based in Islamabad. He can be reached at [email protected].