ISLAMABAD
\nThe European Union\u2019s Ambassador to Pakistan, Raimundas Karoblis, has voiced strong support for Islamabad\u2019s stance that Pakistan faces real security threats from militant groups based in Afghanistan. Speaking to Pakistani media, the envoy said Pakistan\u2019s demand that the Taliban prevent the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from using Afghan territory was \u201clegitimate and justified.\u201d
\n\u201cWe condemn terrorism in every form,\u201d Karoblis said, emphasising that Pakistan\u2019s concerns regarding TTP sanctuaries across the border were grounded in reality. However, he also underlined that Islamabad must couple its security expectations with concrete progress on human rights and democratic standards, areas closely monitored by the EU.
\nKaroblis noted that the EU was encouraging Pakistan to sustain diplomatic engagement with Kabul, pointing to Turkiye\u2019s ongoing mediation between the two sides.
\nResponding to a question about whether the Taliban were honouring their Doha commitment not to allow Afghan soil to be used against neighbouring states, he said he did not possess independent intelligence to verify compliance. \u201cIt is too early for a definitive conclusion,\u201d he added.
\nThe ambassador confirmed that a high-level Pakistan\u2013EU Strategic Dialogue is scheduled to take place in the coming weeks, led by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. The discussions will focus on Afghanistan, the Russia\u2013Ukraine war, regional security and Pakistan\u2019s role at the United Nations. Issues related to trade, migration and counterterrorism will be addressed through separate specialised platforms.
\nThe upcoming dialogue holds particular significance as Pakistan seeks to retain its GSP+ trade preferences, which grant duty-free access to European markets in return for adherence to international human rights conventions.
\nKaroblis said enforced disappearances \u2014 historically concentrated in Balochistan but increasingly reported in Punjab and Sindh \u2014 would be among the EU\u2019s \u201ctop priorities\u201d in the next monitoring cycle. The bloc will also review the performance of Pakistan\u2019s Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances.
\nCommenting on Pakistan\u2019s recent elections \u2014 both widely criticised by the opposition \u2014 the envoy refrained from declaring them illegitimate but acknowledged shortcomings. \u201cNo system is perfect, but irregularities must be addressed so they are not repeated,\u201d he said. He stressed that while the EU recognises the current parliament and government, concerns regarding electoral transparency remain under observation.
\nKaroblis also avoided taking a position on the recent constitutional amendments affecting judicial powers, saying Brussels was closely following the debate. Compliance with UN treaties, he said, remained the EU\u2019s primary benchmark.
\nAsked about former prime minister Imran Khan\u2019s detention, Karoblis declined to comment directly. \u201cI may have personal views, but this is a matter for Pakistan\u2019s judicial authorities,\u201d he said. \u201cPolitical pluralism is important, but it must function within the rule of law.\u201d
\nThe envoy highlighted that the EU and its member states mobilised nearly one billion euros in support for Pakistan following the catastrophic 2022 floods, including an immediate one-million-euro tranche for emergency relief. Under the EU\u2019s Global Gateway strategy, he said, climate resilience and adaptation would continue to be priority areas for future cooperation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD The European Union\u2019s Ambassador to Pakistan, Raimundas Karoblis, has voiced strong support for Islamabad\u2019s stance that Pakistan faces real security threats from militant groups based in Afghanistan. Speaking to Pakistani media, the envoy said Pakistan\u2019s demand that the Taliban prevent the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from using Afghan territory was \u201clegitimate and justified.\u201d \u201cWe condemn […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-515550","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-national"},"yoast_head":"\n