This year, after the controversial decision of the Federal Constitutional Court in the Maria Shahbaz case, the Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered the acquittal and release of the accused named in the case of the Christian couple Shama and Shahzad of Radha Kishan, who were murdered on a baseless charge of blasphemy. The other accused in this case have already been acquitted by the trial court and the High Court. Due to several such decisions, there is a perception of distrust in the justice system among Pakistani minorities. International human rights organizations are keeping a close eye on this issue. In particular, the European Union has given Pakistan numerous financial benefits in the form of trade. Now they seem serious and concerned about the rights of minorities. 
I am sharing a report with my readers from the international human rights organization "Human Rights Without Frontiers," which I received via email just yesterday; please take a look. 
In January 2025, Member of the European Parliament Emmanouil Fragkos (ECR) inquired of the Commission, via a written parliamentary question, whether it was considering suspending or reviewing Pakistan's GSP+ status, given the failure to fully implement UN recommendations and restore relevant fundamental freedoms. In her response dated March 5, 2026, EU High Representative/Vice-President (HR/VP) Kallas emphasized that "Pakistan is subject to a continuous monitoring process regarding the implementation of the 27 international conventions covered by the GSP Regulation—including the 'International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights'." 
Referring to the European Union’s GSP+ monitoring mission for Pakistan scheduled for late 2025, a pledge was made that "the GSP monitoring report would be submitted to the European Parliament and the Council by summer." Although nearly a month has passed since the onset of summer, this commitment has not yet been honored. On July 9, 2026, the European Parliament adopted a resolution concerning "the abduction, forced conversion, and underage marriage of Maria Shahbaz, as well as the protection of girls in Pakistan." The Parliament warned Islamabad that Pakistan’s GSP+ status could be revoked if it failed to effectively implement its commitments regarding human rights—including the rights of women and children. 
The latest warning has refocused attention on Pakistan's human rights record and raised significant questions regarding the future of its trade relations with the European Union. Any alteration in trade status could have profound implications for Pakistan's export sector, economy, and international reputation. On July 14, 2026, a conference was held at the European Parliament—organized by the Jubilee Campaign, Voice for Justice, and ADF International, and hosted by Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) Bert-jan Ruissen and Matej Tonin—titled: "Lack of Protection for Underage Girls in Pakistan: The Case of Maria Shahbaz." 
This event is being held in the immediate wake of the European Union resolution—passed with broad consensus last week—regarding the abduction, forced conversion, and underage marriage of Maria Shahbaz, as well as the protection of girls in Pakistan. During the event, 'Jubilee Campaign Netherlands' and 'Voice for Justice' officially released their new report titled "Stolen Girls: Exposing the Hidden Suffering of Christian Minor Girls in Pakistan." 
This report covers 210 incidents of abduction, forced conversion, child marriage, and sexual violence against Christian girls between 2019 and 2026. According to the report, approximately 89 percent of all documented cases originated in Punjab, while 83 percent of the victims were under the age of 18. Jensen stated, "These are children—not adults freely choosing their religion or spouse." He added, "The average age gap between the victims and their abductors is 23 years, and many of the accused are between 40 and 60 years old." 
The report also highlights widespread manipulation of legal documents. Jensen explained, "In 96 percent of the documented cases, the girls' Christian names were changed following their conversion, and in 92 percent of cases, their ages were misrepresented on marriage certificates to portray them as adults." 'Human Rights Without Frontiers' has recommended suspending GSP+ status. 
As of July 16, the European Commission had not issued any further biennial reports regarding countries holding GSP+ status. After a silence of nearly four years, a joint report covering the 2023–2025 period—prepared for the European Parliament and the Council—has now been made publicly available. This report covers the following countries: Bolivia, Cabo Verde, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Uzbekistan, and Sri Lanka, as well as Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Myanmar under the EBA category 
It appears that the repeated protests by international human rights organizations and Members of the European Parliament are finally receiving attention; however, they are still awaiting the European Union’s 'GSP+' monitoring mission scheduled for Pakistan in late 2025. The 'GSP+' scheme was never intended to provide a permanent subsidy; it is an agreement contingent upon the fulfillment of specific conditions. 
For over a decade, evidence presented by human rights organizations—both within Pakistan and abroad—has consistently pointed in the same direction. Whenever Pakistan is called upon to provide concrete proof of progress in the realm of human rights, it resorts to prevarication. Grave violations of fundamental freedoms persist: infringements on labor rights and religious freedom; the misuse of blasphemy laws; the abduction of non-Muslim girls for forced marriage and conversion; impunity for the perpetrators of such crimes; a severe lack of fair trials; and victims left without any redress...   The European Union’s monitoring process has repeatedly highlighted these failures, yet they remain unaddressed. As the EU prepares to implement its latest Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP) regulation in January 2027, an opportunity arises to fast-track the suspension of GSP+ status in cases of serious violations. Maintaining broad tariff preferences under these circumstances does more than just erode the leverage provided by GSP+; it exposes a lack of political will on the part of the EU and damages both its credibility and its image. It also undermines those in Pakistan who are advocating for the rule of law. Dialogue has been attempted repeatedly, yet it has failed to bring about lasting change. 
In this regard, ‘Human Rights Without Frontiers’ recommends a measure that is proportionate, lawful, and time-bound: namely, the temporary suspension of Pakistan’s GSP+ status. This is not a punishment; rather, it is the only available means to align these privileges with GSP+ standards—specifically, the rule of law and human rights. The possibility of restoring this status should remain open once verifiable and sustainable progress has been achieved. This is in the interest of the European Union, its taxpayers, European businesses, and, of course, the citizens of Pakistan.