European Parliament Moved to Redefine Ties with Pakistan

Pakistan's patronising militancy and violating civil and political rights has put its ties with the European Union into question.

On 9 July, the European Parliament received a written invitation from Representatives to respond to a remark by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan calling Osama bin Laden a martyr.

The question was submitted to the Vice-President of the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for foreign affairs and Security Policy.

Members of Parliament fiercely concentrated on, and took careful notice of, the remark made by Pakistan's Prime Minister granting Laden martyrdom status.

On 25 June 2020, Imran Khan made a speech in Parliament in which he identified the alleged chief of the al-Qaeda militant organization, Osama bin Laden, who was responsible for many bombings in the United States, Europe and across the world with thousands of casualties, as a 'martyr.'

“This is an astonishing statement coming from the Prime Minister of a country which benefits extensively from European generosity. The European Union provides the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan with substantial aid, totalling more than EUR 1 300 million. Moreover, Pakistan also benefits from the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP+),” they said.

Pakistan has been on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) gray list since 2018 for non-compliance with guidelines on money trafficking and terrorist financing.

“In light of above violations of international conventions on human rights, labour rights, civil and political rights and as regards gender equality, which have been denounced on numerous occasions by the European Parliament and civil society, does the Vice-President of the Commission or High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy intend to rediscuss relations with Pakistan and the financial aid it is granted?”

Laden statement by Pakistan Prime Minister has sparked criticism at home and abroad.

“For Pakistanis across the globe, it was an embarrassing moment when the Americans came and killed Osama bin Laden at Abottabad... martyred him. The whole world started abusing us after that. Our ally came inside our country and killed someone without informing us. And, 70,000 Pakistanis died because of U.S.’ war on terror,” said Imran Khan at the parliament.

He said that the U.S. forces had invaded Pakistan and killed bin Laden without telling Islamabad that anyone had begun to attack his country.

“I don’t think there’s a country which supported the war on terror and had to face embarrassment for it. Pakistan was also openly blamed for U.S.’ failure in Afghanistan,” Mr. Khan said.

Bin Laden was killed by U.S. Navy Seals in Pakistan’s Abbottabad in May, 2011.