A delegation led by Baloch National Movement (BNM) Chairman Naseem Baloch visited the European Parliament in Brussels on 15 July, pressing the European Union (EU) to withdraw Pakistan's preferential trade access under the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), citing systematic human rights violations in Balochistan. The delegation held talks with multiple Members of the European Parliament and advocacy officials, presenting a formal dossier on abuses it says disqualify Islamabad from continued eligibility under the scheme.

Key Demands and Allegations

In a statement shared on X on Wednesday, the BNM said the delegation 'expressed serious concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in Balochistan, highlighting enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, collective punishment, and restrictions on fundamental freedoms.' The group argued these violations directly conflict with the international human rights treaties whose compliance is a binding condition for GSP+ eligibility.

The delegation formally urged the EU to conduct 'a comprehensive and impartial review of Pakistan's compliance with its GSP+ commitments and to revoke Pakistan's GSP+ status in light of the ongoing human rights abuses,' according to the BNM statement.

Who the Delegation Met

During the Brussels visit, the BNM delegation held discussions with MEPs Bert-Jan Ruissen, Paolo Borchia, Matej Tonin, and Ozlem Demirel. It also met officials from advocacy group Jubilee Campaign, including Ann Buwalda, Executive Director, and Hulda Fahmi, Communications Associate.

The dossier presented covered the broader human rights situation in Balochistan and specifically referenced the recent life sentences handed down to Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders Mahrang Baloch and Sibghatullah Shah Ji — a development that has drawn sharp criticism from rights groups.

Pakistan's GSP+ Record Under Scrutiny

This is not the first time Pakistan's GSP+ eligibility has come under challenge. A report published last month flagged that Pakistan continues to benefit from preferential access to European markets despite a sustained record of violations spanning human rights, labour standards, governance, and environmental commitments. Cited concerns include enforced disappearances, misuse of blasphemy laws, military court trials, persecution of minorities, child labour, and weak democratic oversight.

Critics argue that the gap between Pakistan's treaty obligations and ground realities in Balochistan has widened, not narrowed, since the country was granted GSP+ status — raising questions about the EU's enforcement mechanism.

What Happens Next

The BNM's push at the European Parliament signals a broader diplomatic effort to internationalise the Balochistan issue through trade accountability frameworks. Whether the EU acts on the delegation's demands will depend on its scheduled GSP+ compliance reviews and the political appetite among member states to apply conditionality. Any revocation would deal a significant blow to Pakistan's export economy, which relies heavily on preferential EU market access for textiles and other goods.