Pakistan's preferential trade access to the European Union has come under renewed scrutiny after the European Parliament linked the country's GSP+ status to its human rights record and compliance with international obligations. In its latest observations, the European Parliament stressed that continued access to the GSP+ trade scheme depends on Pakistan's implementation of 27 international conventions covering human rights, labour rights, environmental protection, climate commitments and good governance. The resolution also highlighted the cases of rights activist Mahrang Baloch and lawyer Imaan Mazari while calling for greater protection of fundamental freedoms and democratic rights. European lawmakers further voiced concern over allegations of the weaponization of state institutions against dissenting voices. WATCH

Pakistan's internal crisis over Balochistan has intensified after opposition leaders publicly accused the country's political and military establishment of failing to resolve the province's decades-long conflict. Meanwhile, Pakistan's military claimed that 42 security personnel have been killed in recent militant attacks and once again accused India of backing insurgent groups in Balochistan.