BETA


2013/2168(INI) Pakistan's regional role and political relations with the EU

Progress: Procedure completed

RoleCommitteeRapporteurShadows
Lead AFET ZALA Boris (icon: S&D S&D) GAHLER Michael (icon: PPE PPE), NEYTS-UYTTEBROECK Annemie (icon: ALDE ALDE), TANNOCK Timothy Charles Ayrton (icon: ECR ECR)
Committee Opinion DEVE ZAHRADIL Jan (icon: ECR ECR) Eva JOLY (icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE)
Lead committee dossier:
Legal Basis:
RoP 54

Events

2014/08/11
   EC - Commission response to text adopted in plenary
Documents
2014/03/12
   EP - Results of vote in Parliament
2014/03/12
   EP - Decision by Parliament
Details

The European Parliament adopted by 457 votes to 26 with 65 abstentions, a resolution on Pakistan’s regional role and political relations with the EU.

Parliament noted that Pakistan’s strategic role in the region, its relationship to its neighbours and EU-Pakistan relations were of major and growing importance to the EU.

Although parliamentary elections in March 2013 marked the first transfer of power from one elected civilian government to another in the modern history of Pakistan, the country’s political and economic progress was hampered by pervasive internal and regional security problems (extremism, sectarian strife, suicide and targeted killings).

Parliament recalled that that Pakistan was one of the largest recipients of EU development and humanitarian assistance and the EU was Pakistan’s largest export market. The EU and Pakistan had recently chosen to deepen and broaden their bilateral ties, as exemplified by the 2012 EU-Pakistan five-year engagement plan and the first EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue. Moreover, as from 1 January 2014, Pakistan was integrated into the EU’s special generalised scheme of trade preferences (GSP+).

Governance: Parliament stated that building a sustainable democracy and a pluralistic society – as well as achieving greater social justice, eradicating deep poverty and malnutrition in parts of the country, raising the basic education level and preparing the country for the effects of climate change – would entail deep and difficult reforms of Pakistan’s political and socio-economic order. The latter remained characterised by:

· feudalistic structures of land ownership and political allegiances;

· imbalances in priorities between military spending on the one hand and welfare provision, education and economic development on the other;

· a dysfunctional revenue collection system that systematically undercut the state’s capacity to deliver public goods.

Parliament considered that that elected civilian governments, endowed with democratic legitimacy, devolution of power to the provinces and effective local government were the best means of containing the tide of violence and extremism, restoring state authority in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), and ensuring Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Governance: Parliament reiterated that good governance, accountable and inclusive institutions, separation of powers and respect for fundamental rights were important elements to address the nexus of development and security in Pakistan.

Security issues: Parliament called on the Pakistani Government to fulfil its security obligations and responsibilities by further engaging in the fight against extremism, terrorism and radicalisation, with the implementation of strict and uncompromising security measures and law enforcement, as well as by addressing inequality and socio-economic issues likely to fuel the radicalisation of Pakistani youth.

As regards drone attacks , Parliament noted that the Pakistani Government had clearly expressed its opposition to US drone strikes on its territory. It welcomed the UN General Assembly resolution which called for further clarification of the legal framework applicable for the use of armed drones.

On the other hand, Parliament was concerned by reports that Pakistan were considering exporting nuclear weapons to third countries . It called on Pakistan, as a nuclear weapon state, to legally ban exports of all nuclear weapons-related material or know-how and to actively contribute to international non-proliferation efforts.

I t considered that the signing and ratification of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) by Pakistan – as well as India – would demonstrate a strong commitment to peaceful regional co-existence and enormously contribute to the security of the whole region.

Pakistan-EU relations : Parliament stressed that EU-Pakistan relations needed to grow deeper and more comprehensive by developing political dialogue, thereby maintaining a relationship of mutual interest amongst equal partners. Members considered that Pakistan’s democratic transition had engendered an opportunity for the EU to follow a more explicitly political approach in bilateral relations and provision of assistance. EU support to Pakistan should prioritise the consolidation of democratic institutions at all levels.

The EEAS and the Commission were urged to pursue a nuanced and multi-dimensional policy towards Pakistan that synergised all the relevant instruments at the EU’s disposal, such as political dialogue, security cooperation, trade and assistance, in line with the EU’s comprehensive approach to external action and with a view to preparations for the next EU-Pakistan summit. They should also ensure that EU policy towards Pakistan was contextualised and embedded in a broader strategy for the region , thereby reinforcing EU interests across South and Central Asia.

Discrimination against women : Parliament remained deeply concerned about the quality of education and, in a related manner, the alarming situation of women in many parts of Pakistan. They called for concrete and visible measures to enforce women’s fundamental rights in the society, including the enactment of legislation against domestic violence, steps to improve the investigation and prosecution of honour killings and acid attacks, and a revision of the legislation that facilitates impunity. Parliament pointed to the need to ensure better access to education, better integration of women in the labour market and better maternal healthcare.

Parliament also reiterated concern that Pakistan’s blasphemy laws – which could carry the death sentence and are often used to justify censorship, criminalisation, persecution and, in certain cases, the murder of members of political and religious minorities – were open to a misuse that affects people of all faiths in Pakistan. The Pakistani government should implement a moratorium on the use of these laws. Pakistan should also intensify its efforts to preserve freedom of religion and belief , including by moving towards abolition of the death penalty.

Lastly, the resolution condemned all attacks on Christians and other religious minorities living in Pakistan.

Documents
2014/03/12
   EP - End of procedure in Parliament
2014/02/17
   EP - Committee report tabled for plenary
Details

The Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted the own-initiative report by Boris ZALA (S&D, SK) on Pakistan’s regional role and political relations with the EU.

Members noted that Pakistan’s strategic role in the region, its relationship to its neighbours and EU-Pakistan relations are of major and growing importance to the EU.

Although parliamentary elections in March 2013 marked the first transfer of power from one elected civilian government to another in the modern history of Pakistan, the country’s political and economic progress is hampered by pervasive internal and regional security problems (extremism, sectarian strife, suicide and targeted killings).

Members highlighted that Pakistan is one of the largest recipients of EU development and humanitarian assistance and the EU is Pakistan’s largest export market. The EU and Pakistan have recently chosen to deepen and broaden their bilateral ties, as exemplified by the 2012 EU-Pakistan five-year engagement plan and the first EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue. Moreover, as from 1 January 2014, Pakistan is now integrated into the EU’s special generalised scheme of trade preferences (GSP+).

The report stated that building a sustainable democracy and a pluralistic society – as well as achieving greater social justice, eradicating deep poverty and malnutrition in parts of the country, raising the basic education level and preparing the country for the effects of climate change – will entail deep and difficult reforms of Pakistan’s political and socio-economic order, which remains characterised by feudalistic structures of land ownership and political allegiances and imbalances in priorities between military spending on the one hand and welfare provision, education and economic development on the other, and a dysfunctional revenue collection system that systematically undercuts the state’s capacity to deliver public goods.

Members considered that that elected civilian governments, endowed with democratic legitimacy, devolution of power to the provinces and effective local government are the best means of containing the tide of violence and extremism, restoring state authority in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), and ensuring Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

As regards drone attacks , the report noted that the Pakistani Government has clearly expressed its opposition to US drone strikes on its territory. It welcomed the UN General Assembly resolution which calls for further clarification of the legal framework applicable for the use of armed drones.

Members, on the other hand, are concerned by reports that Pakistan is considering exporting nuclear weapons to third countries . They called on Pakistan, as a nuclear weapon state, to legally ban exports of all nuclear weapons-related material or know-how and to actively contribute to international non-proliferation efforts.

The report stressed that EU-Pakistan relations need to grow deeper and more comprehensive by developing political dialogue, thereby maintaining a relationship of mutual interest amongst equal partners. Members considered that Pakistan’s democratic transition has engendered an opportunity for the EU to follow a more explicitly political approach in bilateral relations and provision of assistance.

The EEAS and the Commission are urged to pursue a nuanced and multi-dimensional policy towards Pakistan that synergises all the relevant instruments at the EU’s disposal, such as political dialogue, security cooperation, trade and assistance, in line with the EU’s comprehensive approach to external action and with a view to preparations for the next EU-Pakistan summit. They should also ensure that EU policy towards Pakistan is contextualised and embedded in a broader strategy for the region , thereby reinforcing EU interests across South and Central Asia.

Members remained deeply concerned about the quality of education and, in a related manner, the alarming situation of women in many parts of Pakistan. They called for concrete and visible measures to enforce women’s fundamental rights in the society, including the enactment of legislation against domestic violence, steps to improve the investigation and prosecution of honour killings and acid attacks, and a revision of the legislation that facilitates impunity; points to the need to ensure better access to education, better integration of women in the labour market and better maternal healthcare.

Lastly, they also reiterated their concern that Pakistan’s blasphemy laws – which can carry the death sentence and are often used to justify censorship, criminalisation, persecution and, in certain cases, the murder of members of political and religious minorities – are open to a misuse that affects people of all faiths in Pakistan. The Pakistani government should implement a moratorium on the use of these laws. Pakistan should also intensify its efforts to preserve freedom of religion and belief , including by moving towards abolition of the death penalty.

Documents
2014/02/11
   EP - Vote in committee
2014/01/09
   EP - Amendments tabled in committee
Documents
2013/12/04
   EP - Committee opinion
Documents
2013/12/03
   EP - Committee draft report
Documents
2013/10/09
   EP - ZAHRADIL Jan (ECR) appointed as rapporteur in DEVE
2013/09/12
   EP - Committee referral announced in Parliament
2013/06/17
   EP - ZALA Boris (S&D) appointed as rapporteur in AFET

Documents

Votes

A7-0117/2014 - Boris Zala - Vote unique #

2014/03/12 Outcome: +: 457, 0: 65, -: 26
DE IT FR ES PL RO GB SE BE HU BG NL AT SK FI HR EL IE LT LV PT DK EE SI LU CZ MT CY
Total
72
47
51
40
31
24
57
16
15
17
15
23
15
11
9
10
12
11
7
9
13
7
6
4
4
14
2
5
icon: PPE PPE
186
2

Belgium PPE

2

Netherlands PPE

2

Finland PPE

2

Denmark PPE

For (1)

1

Estonia PPE

For (1)

1

Luxembourg PPE

3

Malta PPE

For (1)

1
2
icon: S&D S&D
140

Netherlands S&D

3

Finland S&D

1

Ireland S&D

For (1)

Abstain (1)

2

Latvia S&D

1

Portugal S&D

3

Estonia S&D

For (1)

1

Malta S&D

1

Cyprus S&D

1
icon: ALDE ALDE
60

Italy ALDE

1

Belgium ALDE

2

Austria ALDE

1

Lithuania ALDE

1

Latvia ALDE

For (1)

1

Denmark ALDE

2

Slovenia ALDE

For (1)

1
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
48

United Kingdom Verts/ALE

5
3

Netherlands Verts/ALE

3

Austria Verts/ALE

2

Finland Verts/ALE

2

Greece Verts/ALE

1

Latvia Verts/ALE

1

Estonia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

For (1)

1
icon: ECR ECR
40

Belgium ECR

Abstain (1)

1

Hungary ECR

For (1)

1

Netherlands ECR

For (1)

1

Croatia ECR

Abstain (1)

1

Latvia ECR

Abstain (1)

1
icon: EFD EFD
15

Belgium EFD

Abstain (1)

1

Bulgaria EFD

Abstain (1)

1

Netherlands EFD

For (1)

1

Slovakia EFD

For (1)

1

Finland EFD

For (1)

1

Lithuania EFD

For (1)

1
icon: NI NI
28

Italy NI

2

France NI

2

Spain NI

1

Hungary NI

For (1)

3

Bulgaria NI

Against (1)

1

Austria NI

Against (1)

4

Ireland NI

For (1)

1
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
30

France GUE/NGL

Against (1)

3

Spain GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

1

United Kingdom GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

1

Sweden GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

1

Netherlands GUE/NGL

2

Croatia GUE/NGL

1

Greece GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

2

Ireland GUE/NGL

Against (1)

1

Latvia GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

1

Portugal GUE/NGL

Abstain (2)

4

Denmark GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

1

Czechia GUE/NGL

3

Cyprus GUE/NGL

2
AmendmentsDossier
75 2013/2168(INI)
2013/11/14 DEVE 17 amendments...
source: PE-523.082
2014/01/09 AFET 58 amendments...
source: PE-526.271

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)

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activities
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  • date: 2014-02-11T00:00:00 body: EP type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP shadows: group: PPE name: GAHLER Michael group: ALDE name: NEYTS-UYTTEBROECK Annemie group: ECR name: TANNOCK Charles responsible: True committee: AFET date: 2013-06-17T00:00:00 committee_full: Foreign Affairs rapporteur: group: S&D name: ZALA Boris body: EP responsible: False committee: DEVE date: 2013-10-09T00:00:00 committee_full: Development rapporteur: group: ECR name: ZAHRADIL Jan
  • date: 2014-02-17T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A7-2014-0117&language=EN type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading title: A7-0117/2014 body: EP type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
  • date: 2014-03-12T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=24234&l=en type: Results of vote in Parliament title: Results of vote in Parliament url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P7-TA-2014-0208 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T7-0208/2014 body: EP type: Results of vote in Parliament
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  • date: 2013-12-04T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE521.550&secondRef=02 title: PE521.550 committee: DEVE type: Committee opinion body: EP
  • date: 2014-01-09T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE526.271 title: PE526.271 type: Amendments tabled in committee body: EP
  • date: 2014-08-11T00:00:00 docs: url: /oeil/spdoc.do?i=24234&j=0&l=en title: SP(2014)457 type: Commission response to text adopted in plenary
events
  • date: 2013-09-12T00:00:00 type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2014-02-11T00:00:00 type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2014-02-17T00:00:00 type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A7-2014-0117&language=EN title: A7-0117/2014 summary: The Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted the own-initiative report by Boris ZALA (S&D, SK) on Pakistan’s regional role and political relations with the EU. Members noted that Pakistan’s strategic role in the region, its relationship to its neighbours and EU-Pakistan relations are of major and growing importance to the EU. Although parliamentary elections in March 2013 marked the first transfer of power from one elected civilian government to another in the modern history of Pakistan, the country’s political and economic progress is hampered by pervasive internal and regional security problems (extremism, sectarian strife, suicide and targeted killings). Members highlighted that Pakistan is one of the largest recipients of EU development and humanitarian assistance and the EU is Pakistan’s largest export market. The EU and Pakistan have recently chosen to deepen and broaden their bilateral ties, as exemplified by the 2012 EU-Pakistan five-year engagement plan and the first EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue. Moreover, as from 1 January 2014, Pakistan is now integrated into the EU’s special generalised scheme of trade preferences (GSP+). The report stated that building a sustainable democracy and a pluralistic society – as well as achieving greater social justice, eradicating deep poverty and malnutrition in parts of the country, raising the basic education level and preparing the country for the effects of climate change – will entail deep and difficult reforms of Pakistan’s political and socio-economic order, which remains characterised by feudalistic structures of land ownership and political allegiances and imbalances in priorities between military spending on the one hand and welfare provision, education and economic development on the other, and a dysfunctional revenue collection system that systematically undercuts the state’s capacity to deliver public goods. Members considered that that elected civilian governments, endowed with democratic legitimacy, devolution of power to the provinces and effective local government are the best means of containing the tide of violence and extremism, restoring state authority in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), and ensuring Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. As regards drone attacks , the report noted that the Pakistani Government has clearly expressed its opposition to US drone strikes on its territory. It welcomed the UN General Assembly resolution which calls for further clarification of the legal framework applicable for the use of armed drones. Members, on the other hand, are concerned by reports that Pakistan is considering exporting nuclear weapons to third countries . They called on Pakistan, as a nuclear weapon state, to legally ban exports of all nuclear weapons-related material or know-how and to actively contribute to international non-proliferation efforts. The report stressed that EU-Pakistan relations need to grow deeper and more comprehensive by developing political dialogue, thereby maintaining a relationship of mutual interest amongst equal partners. Members considered that Pakistan’s democratic transition has engendered an opportunity for the EU to follow a more explicitly political approach in bilateral relations and provision of assistance. The EEAS and the Commission are urged to pursue a nuanced and multi-dimensional policy towards Pakistan that synergises all the relevant instruments at the EU’s disposal, such as political dialogue, security cooperation, trade and assistance, in line with the EU’s comprehensive approach to external action and with a view to preparations for the next EU-Pakistan summit. They should also ensure that EU policy towards Pakistan is contextualised and embedded in a broader strategy for the region , thereby reinforcing EU interests across South and Central Asia. Members remained deeply concerned about the quality of education and, in a related manner, the alarming situation of women in many parts of Pakistan. They called for concrete and visible measures to enforce women’s fundamental rights in the society, including the enactment of legislation against domestic violence, steps to improve the investigation and prosecution of honour killings and acid attacks, and a revision of the legislation that facilitates impunity; points to the need to ensure better access to education, better integration of women in the labour market and better maternal healthcare. Lastly, they also reiterated their concern that Pakistan’s blasphemy laws – which can carry the death sentence and are often used to justify censorship, criminalisation, persecution and, in certain cases, the murder of members of political and religious minorities – are open to a misuse that affects people of all faiths in Pakistan. The Pakistani government should implement a moratorium on the use of these laws. Pakistan should also intensify its efforts to preserve freedom of religion and belief , including by moving towards abolition of the death penalty.
  • date: 2014-03-12T00:00:00 type: Results of vote in Parliament body: EP docs: url: https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=24234&l=en title: Results of vote in Parliament
  • date: 2014-03-12T00:00:00 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P7-TA-2014-0208 title: T7-0208/2014 summary: The European Parliament adopted by 457 votes to 26 with 65 abstentions, a resolution on Pakistan’s regional role and political relations with the EU. Parliament noted that Pakistan’s strategic role in the region, its relationship to its neighbours and EU-Pakistan relations were of major and growing importance to the EU. Although parliamentary elections in March 2013 marked the first transfer of power from one elected civilian government to another in the modern history of Pakistan, the country’s political and economic progress was hampered by pervasive internal and regional security problems (extremism, sectarian strife, suicide and targeted killings). Parliament recalled that that Pakistan was one of the largest recipients of EU development and humanitarian assistance and the EU was Pakistan’s largest export market. The EU and Pakistan had recently chosen to deepen and broaden their bilateral ties, as exemplified by the 2012 EU-Pakistan five-year engagement plan and the first EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue. Moreover, as from 1 January 2014, Pakistan was integrated into the EU’s special generalised scheme of trade preferences (GSP+). Governance: Parliament stated that building a sustainable democracy and a pluralistic society – as well as achieving greater social justice, eradicating deep poverty and malnutrition in parts of the country, raising the basic education level and preparing the country for the effects of climate change – would entail deep and difficult reforms of Pakistan’s political and socio-economic order. The latter remained characterised by: · feudalistic structures of land ownership and political allegiances; · imbalances in priorities between military spending on the one hand and welfare provision, education and economic development on the other; · a dysfunctional revenue collection system that systematically undercut the state’s capacity to deliver public goods. Parliament considered that that elected civilian governments, endowed with democratic legitimacy, devolution of power to the provinces and effective local government were the best means of containing the tide of violence and extremism, restoring state authority in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), and ensuring Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Governance: Parliament reiterated that good governance, accountable and inclusive institutions, separation of powers and respect for fundamental rights were important elements to address the nexus of development and security in Pakistan. Security issues: Parliament called on the Pakistani Government to fulfil its security obligations and responsibilities by further engaging in the fight against extremism, terrorism and radicalisation, with the implementation of strict and uncompromising security measures and law enforcement, as well as by addressing inequality and socio-economic issues likely to fuel the radicalisation of Pakistani youth. As regards drone attacks , Parliament noted that the Pakistani Government had clearly expressed its opposition to US drone strikes on its territory. It welcomed the UN General Assembly resolution which called for further clarification of the legal framework applicable for the use of armed drones. On the other hand, Parliament was concerned by reports that Pakistan were considering exporting nuclear weapons to third countries . It called on Pakistan, as a nuclear weapon state, to legally ban exports of all nuclear weapons-related material or know-how and to actively contribute to international non-proliferation efforts. I t considered that the signing and ratification of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) by Pakistan – as well as India – would demonstrate a strong commitment to peaceful regional co-existence and enormously contribute to the security of the whole region. Pakistan-EU relations : Parliament stressed that EU-Pakistan relations needed to grow deeper and more comprehensive by developing political dialogue, thereby maintaining a relationship of mutual interest amongst equal partners. Members considered that Pakistan’s democratic transition had engendered an opportunity for the EU to follow a more explicitly political approach in bilateral relations and provision of assistance. EU support to Pakistan should prioritise the consolidation of democratic institutions at all levels. The EEAS and the Commission were urged to pursue a nuanced and multi-dimensional policy towards Pakistan that synergised all the relevant instruments at the EU’s disposal, such as political dialogue, security cooperation, trade and assistance, in line with the EU’s comprehensive approach to external action and with a view to preparations for the next EU-Pakistan summit. They should also ensure that EU policy towards Pakistan was contextualised and embedded in a broader strategy for the region , thereby reinforcing EU interests across South and Central Asia. Discrimination against women : Parliament remained deeply concerned about the quality of education and, in a related manner, the alarming situation of women in many parts of Pakistan. They called for concrete and visible measures to enforce women’s fundamental rights in the society, including the enactment of legislation against domestic violence, steps to improve the investigation and prosecution of honour killings and acid attacks, and a revision of the legislation that facilitates impunity. Parliament pointed to the need to ensure better access to education, better integration of women in the labour market and better maternal healthcare. Parliament also reiterated concern that Pakistan’s blasphemy laws – which could carry the death sentence and are often used to justify censorship, criminalisation, persecution and, in certain cases, the murder of members of political and religious minorities – were open to a misuse that affects people of all faiths in Pakistan. The Pakistani government should implement a moratorium on the use of these laws. Pakistan should also intensify its efforts to preserve freedom of religion and belief , including by moving towards abolition of the death penalty. Lastly, the resolution condemned all attacks on Christians and other religious minorities living in Pakistan.
  • date: 2014-03-12T00:00:00 type: End of procedure in Parliament body: EP
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    • The Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted the own-initiative report by Boris ZALA (S&D, SK) on Pakistan’s regional role and political relations with the EU.

      Members noted that Pakistan’s strategic role in the region, its relationship to its neighbours and EU-Pakistan relations are of major and growing importance to the EU.

      Although parliamentary elections in March 2013 marked the first transfer of power from one elected civilian government to another in the modern history of Pakistan, the country’s political and economic progress is hampered by pervasive internal and regional security problems (extremism, sectarian strife, suicide and targeted killings).

      Members highlighted that Pakistan is one of the largest recipients of EU development and humanitarian assistance and the EU is Pakistan’s largest export market. The EU and Pakistan have recently chosen to deepen and broaden their bilateral ties, as exemplified by the 2012 EU-Pakistan five-year engagement plan and the first EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue. Moreover, as from 1 January 2014, Pakistan is now integrated into the EU’s special generalised scheme of trade preferences (GSP+).

      The report stated that building a sustainable democracy and a pluralistic society – as well as achieving greater social justice, eradicating deep poverty and malnutrition in parts of the country, raising the basic education level and preparing the country for the effects of climate change – will entail deep and difficult reforms of Pakistan’s political and socio-economic order, which remains characterised by feudalistic structures of land ownership and political allegiances and imbalances in priorities between military spending on the one hand and welfare provision, education and economic development on the other, and a dysfunctional revenue collection system that systematically undercuts the state’s capacity to deliver public goods.

      Members considered that that elected civilian governments, endowed with democratic legitimacy, devolution of power to the provinces and effective local government are the best means of containing the tide of violence and extremism, restoring state authority in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), and ensuring Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

      As regards drone attacks, the report noted that the Pakistani Government has clearly expressed its opposition to US drone strikes on its territory. It welcomed the UN General Assembly resolution which calls for further clarification of the legal framework applicable for the use of armed drones.

      Members, on the other hand, are concerned by reports that Pakistan is considering exporting nuclear weapons to third countries. They called on Pakistan, as a nuclear weapon state, to legally ban exports of all nuclear weapons-related material or know-how and to actively contribute to international non-proliferation efforts.

      The report stressed that EU-Pakistan relations need to grow deeper and more comprehensive by developing political dialogue, thereby maintaining a relationship of mutual interest amongst equal partners. Members considered that Pakistan’s democratic transition has engendered an opportunity for the EU to follow a more explicitly political approach in bilateral relations and provision of assistance.

      The EEAS and the Commission are urged to pursue a nuanced and multi-dimensional policy towards Pakistan that synergises all the relevant instruments at the EU’s disposal, such as political dialogue, security cooperation, trade and assistance, in line with the EU’s comprehensive approach to external action and with a view to preparations for the next EU-Pakistan summit. They should also ensure that EU policy towards Pakistan is contextualised and embedded in a broader strategy for the region, thereby reinforcing EU interests across South and Central Asia.

      Members remained deeply concerned about the quality of education and, in a related manner, the alarming situation of women in many parts of Pakistan. They called for concrete and visible measures to enforce women’s fundamental rights in the society, including the enactment of legislation against domestic violence, steps to improve the investigation and prosecution of honour killings and acid attacks, and a revision of the legislation that facilitates impunity; points to the need to ensure better access to education, better integration of women in the labour market and better maternal healthcare.

      Lastly, they also reiterated their concern that Pakistan’s blasphemy laws – which can carry the death sentence and are often used to justify censorship, criminalisation, persecution and, in certain cases, the murder of members of political and religious minorities – are open to a misuse that affects people of all faiths in Pakistan. The Pakistani government should implement a moratorium on the use of these laws. Pakistan should also intensify its efforts to preserve freedom of religion and belief, including by moving towards abolition of the death penalty.

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