Human Rights Activist Challenges EUs Designation of Pakistan as Anti-Terrorism Partner

Quetta, June 2: Prominent Baloch human rights activist Mir Yar Baloch has expressed strong objections to the European Union’s designation of Pakistan as an anti-terrorism partner. In a letter addressed to the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, he likened this decision to “entrusting a thief with the responsibility of preventing theft.”

Baloch emphasized that this move overlooks Pakistan’s long-standing role in supporting proxy networks, despite numerous allegations. His comments follow a joint statement released after the eighth Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue held in Islamabad on Monday.

In his letter, Baloch argued that framing cooperation against terrorism as a significant aspect of relations is “far from reality and dangerous,” given the persistent accusations against Pakistan for harboring terrorist organizations.

He stated, “To consider a country that has been linked to proxy policies and extremism as an anti-terrorism partner, despite decades of evidence, is a serious contradiction.”

Baloch further accused Europe of currently facing threats from Islamic extremism and radicalization, which have historical ties to Pakistan. He criticized the Pakistani military and intelligence agency, ISI, for allegedly promoting and aiding extremists, asserting that “making the very structure accused of creating the problem a partner in the solution complicates the issue further.”

He added that the world should remember that the most wanted terrorist, Osama bin Laden, was found in Abbottabad, Pakistan, instead of trusting the country’s official claims.

Baloch insisted that if the EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP Plus) is linked to human rights respect, there should be an independent and impartial international investigation into the human rights situation in Balochistan.

He urged the EU, United Nations, human rights organizations, and independent observers to visit Balochistan to assess the ground situation, rather than relying solely on Pakistan’s official statements.

He called for meetings with affected families and hearings on cases of enforced disappearances. Baloch concluded that if the EU truly supports “human dignity, justice, and freedom,” it must apply the same standards to Balochistan as it does in other global conflicts.