Pakistan’s rights efforts win world praise

Islamabad : An EU delegation, headed by Jeroen Willems (EU Head of Cooperation in Pakistan) and joined by Marta Szymczyk (Programme Manager for Human Rights and Democracy), met with Human Rights Secretary Humera Ahmad to discuss Pakistan’s progress on human rights.

Willems praised Pakistan’s efforts and reiterated the EU’s commitment to supporting them.

The upcoming EU GSP+ Monitoring Mission was also discussed, with an emphasis on linking trade benefits to tangible human rights improvements.

Willems highlighted the importance of protecting the rights of minorities, women, children, and persons with disabilities, commending Pakistan’s work and encouraging continued collaboration.

The meeting was also attended by Muhammad Arshad, the ministry’s Director General (IC), and Muhammad Arif Leghari, Director (IC).

The secretary appreciated the European Union’s long-standing partnership with Pakistan in advancing the human rights agenda.

She reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to safeguarding the rights of vulnerable groups and advancing an inclusive human rights agenda.

The secretary apprised the EU delegation of key legislative milestones, including the enactment of the National Commission for Minorities Act and the ICT Child Marriage Restraint Act 2025.

She also highlighted the Prime Minister’s Women Empowerment Package 2024 as a flagship initiative aimed at addressing gender disparities.

Emphasising the ministry’s focus on inclusivity, she shared ongoing reforms to improve accessibility and mobility for persons with disabilities.

The ongoing EU-Pakistan collaboration under the Huqooq-e-Pakistan II (HeP-II) project was also discussed. Both sides emphasised the need to strengthen coordination among all stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of the 2025 work plan.

The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both sides reaffirming their shared commitment to human rights and recognizing the Ministry of Human Rights as the key focal point for advancing the agenda in Pakistan.