Jamil Maqsood, President of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP), spoke at a demonstration organised by the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) outside the European Parliament in Brussels.
He denounced Pakistan's deteriorating human rights situation and urged the EU to impose more stringent accountability measures under the GSP+ scheme.
The protest provided an important opportunity to draw attention to Pakistan's systemic repression at the same time as a high level meeting between EU representatives and Pakistan's Foreign Minister.
Maqsood expressed his strong support for PTM's nonviolent opposition against extrajudicial executions, arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and intimidation of residents in the Pashtun belt in a Facebook post.
In addition to Pakistan-administered areas of Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan (PoGB) and Pakistan occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK), he pointed out that these abuses are a sign of more serious structural flaws in Pakistan's governance structure.
Maqsood accused Pakistan of violating international law, pertinent UN resolutions, and the democratic aspirations of Kashmiris by attempting to merge the disputed regions through the proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment.
He reiterated the UKPNP's dedication to democratic liberties, nonviolent political resistance, and the defense of human dignity for all oppressed groups under political pressure and militarisation.
Maqsood emphasized the economic aspect and denounced Pakistan for not fulfilling obligations related to the EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+).
He stated that although Pakistan has experienced significant economic benefits since 2014, EU monitoring reports reveal ongoing violations of labor, human rights, and governance norms.
Therefore, he called on the European Union to firmly condition Pakistan's admission to GSP+ on quantifiable advancements in media freedom, civil liberties, and the end of enforced disappearances.
Maqsood also urged the European Parliament to send an independent fact finding team to every area of the divided territory in order to carry out its 2007 Resolution on Jammu & Kashmir.
He claimed that such an endeavor would enable EU politicians to evaluate the situation on the ground and guarantee that human rights recommendations are successfully carried out.
Maqsood concluded his speech by arguing that real EU involvement based on democracy and international law might strengthen human rights protections, encourage accountability, and contribute to long term peace and stability in South Asia.
Aqeel Ahmed, President of UKPNP Belgium, and Sajid Hussain, Press Secretary of UKPNP Europe Zone, accompanied him.
