EU may impose economic sanctions on Pak for atrocities in Balochistan: Ryszard Czarnecki

ANI | Geneva | September 23, 2016: Expressing solidarity with the people of Balochistan against Pakistan’s atrocities, European Parliament Vice-President Ryszard Czarnecki has said the European Union may impose economic and political sanctions on Islamabad if the Asian nation fails to stop the human rights violation in the region.

“I told the European Union during our human rights debate that if our partner countries do not accept human rights and standards, in this situation we should react and seek sanctions like some moves in economic fields,” he told ANI.

Czarnecki, who attended a silent vigil where the protestors condemned Pakistan for the ongoing atrocities and paid homage to those who lost their lives, added now is not the time for words but for actions. “We have bilateral economic and political relations with Pakistan and if it will not change its state policy towards Balochistan then we would change our attitude towards Islamabad and towards the government of Pakistan,” he said.

Stating that Islamabad has dual standards, the European Parliament Vice President said on one hand it shows a clean face to the world while on the other it indulges in human rights violations.

“Pakistan has two faces. It is the open face to us and the other is the brutal face towards Balochistan,” he said, adding that all the 28 members of the EU should react against Pakistan’s brutal operations and policies towards the Baloch people. He also acknowledged the problem in Pakistan is that the government is controlled by the military.

“The problem is that the government in Islamabad practically doesn’t control the situation and now is the time to accept and react to this situation. The people in Balochistan must feel our solidarity,” he said.