EU praises Pakistan's legal reforms on rights issues

The European Union's envoy to Pakistan has appreciated the country's recent legal reforms, including amendments to the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) aimed at reducing the scope of the death penalty by substituting it with life imprisonment for certain offences.

Ambassador Raimundas Karoblis called on Law and Justice and Human Rights Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, said a press release issued by the Human Rights Ministry. It said Karoblis reaffirmed the EU's commitment to continued partnership in advancing Pakistan's human rights agenda.

"Ambassador Karoblis appreciated Pakistan's recent legal reforms, including amendments to the Pakistan Penal Code aimed at reducing the scope of the death penalty by substituting it with life imprisonment for certain offences," the press release stated.

During the meeting, Tarar appreciated the EU's continued support for Pakistan in the field of human rights, highlighting close collaboration between the ministry and the EU delegation under the 'Promotion of Human Rights in Pakistan – Phase II/EU Huqooq-e-Pakistan II'.

He said that the programme focuses on strengthening governmental human rights structures, national human rights institutions, education and sensitisation, business and human rights, and effective policy implementation.

Tarar briefed the EU ambassador on Pakistan's engagement with the bloc on issues raised during the GSP+ Monitoring Mission in November 2025, reaffirming the country's commitment to meeting its international obligations under the GSP+ framework.

He also outlined progress under the National Action Plan on Human Rights, saying its implementation centres on legal and policy reforms, access to justice, fulfilment of international treaty obligations, strengthening national institutions, and improved monitoring and coordination at federal and provincial levels.