AS Pakistan approaches the review of its Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status, the country remains steadfast in its efforts to meet the human rights standards set by the European Union.
Since being granted GSP+ status, Pakistan has enacted a series of progressive reforms aimed at strengthening its human rights framework.
In recent years, Pakistan has enacted wide-ranging reforms aimed at ensuring the safety and dignity of its citizens, particularly vulnerable groups. These include the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act (2021), designed to safeguard journalists from threats and violence. This law mandates special commissions and prosecutors to address cases of violence against media professionals, fostering an environment conducive to press freedom. Another landmark reform is the Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Act (2021), which establishes special courts to handle gender-based crimes and introduces stronger penalties for offenders, ensuring justice for survivors.
The enactment of the Domestic Violence Acts (2020–22) at federal and provincial levels has empowered women by criminalizing abuse, providing protection orders and ensuring access to shelter and legal aid. The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act (2018) guarantees non-discrimination, education and employment opportunities for transgender individuals, promoting equality across public life. Additionally, the Zainab Alert Act (2020) establishes a rapid-response system for missing children, while the National Commission on Human Rights (NCHR), an independent statutory body, continues to investigate violations and align Pakistan with international human rights standards.
While Pakistan has made substantial progress, challenges persist. Human rights discourse is often weaponized by geopolitical adversaries to undermine Pakistan’s sovereign actions. The politicization of human rights issues for strategic gains has led to selective criticism, undermining genuine advocacy and obscuring the real progress being made. For instance, dissidents living in exile, supported by hostile intelligence agencies, often propagate destabilizing narratives against Pakistan, seeking to incite ethnic discord and violence within the country. These individuals, such as Mahrang Baloch, selectively amplify issues without ad-dressing the atrocities committed by designated terrorist groups like the Balochistan Libera-tion Army (BLA) and the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF).
Reports from organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have consistently highlighted ongoing human rights abuses in countries like India, including state-sponsored persecution of minorities, police brutality and the suppression of dissent. For ex-ample, the 2025 US Country Reports on Human Rights Practices raised concerns about the deterioration of civil liberties in India, citing politically motivated charges against journalists and activists, custodial deaths and the intimidation of the press. India’s ranking as one of the world’s most dangerous countries for journalists, according to Reporters Without Borders, further exposes the hypocrisy of those who selectively criticize Pakistan.
In light of these reforms, Pakistan’s continued progress in the human rights domain is commendable, demonstrating its commitment to both domestic well-being and international standards. While addressing human rights violations is crucial, it is equally important to en-sure that the conversation remains rooted in fairness, objectivity and the broader context of global human rights challenges. Pakistan, despite its internal and external challenges, has shown resilience in its pursuit of justice, equality and peace, proving its unwavering dedica-tion to human rights.
—The writer is contributing columnist.
