The European Union’s ambassador to Pakistan has expressed support for Islamabad’s position that militants based in Afghanistan are behind recent attacks in the country, while emphasizing that Pakistan must align its security expectations with tangible progress on human rights and democratic norms.
Newly appointed Ambassador Raimundas Karoblis said Pakistan’s call for the Taliban to prevent the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from operating on Afghan soil is “legitimate” and linked to genuine security concerns.
“We condemn terrorism in all its forms,” he noted, adding that Pakistan’s expectations from Afghanistan regarding action against the TTP are justified.
At the same time, Karoblis stressed that the EU is urging Islamabad to maintain diplomatic channels, highlighting Turkiye’s ongoing mediation efforts between the two sides.
When asked whether the Taliban were honoring their Doha pledge not to allow Afghan soil to be used against neighboring countries, he said he lacked independent intelligence to make a judgment. “It is too early to reach a definitive conclusion,” he added.
The ambassador confirmed that a high-level Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue will take place in the coming weeks, led by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.
The discussions will cover Afghanistan, the Russia-Ukraine war, regional security, and Pakistan’s role at the UN, while other issues such as trade, migration, and counterterrorism will be addressed in separate forums.
The dialogue comes as Pakistan seeks to maintain its preferential trade status under the GSP Plus programme, which grants duty-free access to European markets in exchange for compliance with international human rights treaties.
Enforced disappearances, long reported in Balochistan but now increasingly documented in Punjab and Sindh, will also be among the EU’s “top priorities” in its monitoring review.
The envoy noted that the EU will evaluate the performance of Pakistan’s Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances during the upcoming assessments.
When asked about Pakistan’s last two elections, both widely criticized by opposition parties, Karoblis did not label them illegitimate but acknowledged that significant issues had occurred.
“No system is perfect, but irregularities must be addressed so they are not repeated”, he said. The EU recognised the current parliament and government, he added, but concerns about electoral transparency remain on its radar.
Karoblis similarly declined to endorse or condemn recent constitutional amendments affecting judicial powers, though he noted that Brussels was listening to critics. Compliance with UN conventions, he said, was the key test the EU would apply.
Replying to a query on Imran Khan’s detention, Karoblis refused to enter the debate. “I may have personal views, but this is a matter for Pakistan’s judicial authorities”, he said. “Political pluralism is important, but it must be discussed through the rule of law”.
Karoblis said the EU and its member states have mobilised nearly one billion euros in assistance following Pakistan’s devastating 2022 floods, including an initial one million euro tranche for emergency relief.
Under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, climate adaptation will remain a priority sector for future cooperation.
