1/31/2025 (Christian Daily International)
Pakistan’s preferential trade status could be jeopardized if it does not address human rights concerns, including controversial blasphemy laws, forced marriages / conversions of minority girls and freedom of religion. A delegation led by EU Special Representative on Human Rights warned in a press statement that Pakistan should not take its preferential trade status for granted. The delegation said that Pakistan’s trade benefits depend on progress made in addressing concerns about human rights. The EU is Pakistan’s second largest trading partner, and they currently enjoy duty-free or a minimum duty on European exports. The special status is conditional on beneficiary countries demonstrating tangible progress in implementing 27 international conventions on human and labor rights. In meetings with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, and Minister of Law, Justice and Human Rights, the EU delegation highlighted problems with Pakistan's blasphemy laws, women’s rights, forced marriages and conversions, freedoms of religion or belief, etc. Pakistan benefits from nearly one billion dollars a year in tariff exemptions.
Please pray…
Praise the Lord that the EU Commission on Human Rights confronted the Pakistani government about the human rights abuses in Pakistan, especially Pakistan’s blasphemy laws and forced marriages/conversions.
Pray that the threat of losing its preferential trade status will motivate the Pakistani government to change or rescind the blasphemy laws and make forced conversions/marriages punishable by severe prison terms as a deterrent.
Pray that the hundreds of people in prison for blasphemy will be pardoned, released or have their court cases dropped.
Pray that all the girls and women who have been kidnapped, forced to marry a Muslim and be forced to convert will be freed, and that their kidnappers will be severely punished.
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