“Pakistan’s call for Taliban to stop TTP from operating on Afghan soil is legitimate,” says Raimundas Karoblis

ISLAMABAD, NOV 19 /DNA/ – The European Union’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Raimundas Karoblis, has voiced strong support for Islamabad’s stance that Pakistan faces real security threats from militant groups based in Afghanistan. Speaking to Pakistani media, the envoy said Pakistan’s demand that the Taliban prevent the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from using Afghan territory was “legitimate and justified.”

“We condemn terrorism in every form,” Karoblis said, emphasising that Pakistan’s concerns regarding TTP sanctuaries across the border were grounded in reality. However, he also underlined that Islamabad must couple its security expectations with concrete progress on human rights and democratic standards, areas closely monitored by the EU.

Karoblis noted that the EU was encouraging Pakistan to sustain diplomatic engagement with Kabul, pointing to Turkiye’s ongoing mediation between the two sides. Responding to a question about whether the Taliban were honouring their Doha commitment not to allow Afghan soil to be used against neighbouring states, he said he did not possess independent intelligence to verify compliance. “It is too early for a definitive conclusion,” he added.

The ambassador confirmed that a high-level Pakistan–EU Strategic Dialogue is scheduled to take place in the coming weeks, led by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. The discussions will focus on Afghanistan, the Russia–Ukraine war, regional security and Pakistan’s role at the United Nations. Issues related to trade, migration and counterterrorism will be addressed through separate specialised platforms.

The upcoming dialogue holds particular significance as Pakistan seeks to retain its GSP+ trade preferences, which grant duty-free access to European markets in return for adherence to international human rights conventions.

Karoblis said enforced disappearances — historically concentrated in Balochistan but increasingly reported in Punjab and Sindh — would be among the EU’s “top priorities” in the next monitoring cycle. The bloc will also review the performance of Pakistan’s Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances.

Commenting on Pakistan’s recent elections — both widely criticised by the opposition — the envoy refrained from declaring them illegitimate but acknowledged shortcomings. “No system is perfect, but irregularities must be addressed so they are not repeated,” he said. He stressed that while the EU recognises the current parliament and government, concerns regarding electoral transparency remain under observation.

Karoblis also avoided taking a position on the recent constitutional amendments affecting judicial powers, saying Brussels was closely following the debate. Compliance with UN treaties, he said, remained the EU’s primary benchmark.

Asked about former prime minister Imran Khan’s detention, Karoblis declined to comment directly. “I may have personal views, but this is a matter for Pakistan’s judicial authorities,” he said. “Political pluralism is important, but it must function within the rule of law.”

The envoy highlighted that the EU and its member states mobilised nearly one billion euros in support for Pakistan following the catastrophic 2022 floods, including an immediate one-million-euro tranche for emergency relief. Under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, he said, climate resilience and adaptation would continue to be priority areas for future cooperation.=DNA