9/16/2024 Pakistan (International Christian Concern) — The European Union’s special envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) stressed the importance of religious tolerance during a recent visit to Pakistan.

During his weeklong trip, Ambassador Frans van Daele met with key Pakistani officials to discuss the current state of religious freedom in Pakistan, focusing on areas of concern highlighted in the EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP+) monitoring report from last November.

Van Daele, who emphasized the importance of Pakistan’s need to implement international conventions related to religious freedom, noted that the next GSP+ monitoring mission is set for early 2025. He stressed that further reforms will be imperative for Pakistan’s reapplication to the trade scheme once the new GSP regulation takes effect.

The ambassador also visited Jaranwala and Rabwah in Punjab — two areas known for their religious diversity and tension. He also visited Lahore, where he met with Punjab’s Minister for Minorities Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, and Inspector General of Police Usman Anwar to discuss how law enforcement could better protect people’s religious freedom.

Van Daele’s visit comes at a time of heightened religious tensions throughout Pakistan, where Muslim mobs are increasingly attacking Christians, falsely accusing them of blasphemy. These spurious charges recently led to the deaths of a Christian couple.

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