On 8 July 2026, the European Parliament is voting on Amendment 1 to a joint resolution on the abduction, forced conversion and child marriage of Maria Shahbaz and the protection of girls in Pakistan. The amendment, tabled by Mieke Andriese and António Tânger Corrêa on behalf of the PfE Group, adds a new paragraph that strongly condemns the systematic persecution of Christians in Pakistan and demands the repeal of the country's blasphemy laws. The amendment broadens the resolution's focus beyond Maria Shahbaz's individual case to address the wider context of discrimination, violence and intimidation faced by Pakistan's Christian community and other religious minorities.
The joint resolution itself is sponsored by the PPE, S&D, ECR, Renew and Verts/ALE groups. The amendment, if adopted, would insert Paragraph 3a into the text, explicitly linking the case of Maria Shahbaz to the systemic persecution of Christians and calling for an end to blasphemy laws that are often used to target religious minorities. The vote comes amid ongoing international concern over the treatment of religious minorities in Pakistan, where blasphemy accusations can lead to mob violence, imprisonment or death sentences.
The amendment represents a policy orientation that prioritises human rights and religious freedom over diplomatic considerations with Pakistan. If passed, it could strain EU-Pakistan relations, as Pakistan has resisted external pressure to reform its blasphemy laws. The resolution, including the amendment, is a non-binding expression of Parliament's position, but it may influence the European Commission's and the European External Action Service's engagement with Pakistani authorities.
Stakeholders most affected include Pakistan's Christian and other religious minority communities, who would see stronger EU condemnation of their persecution, potentially offering some protection through increased international scrutiny. The Pakistani government would face renewed diplomatic pressure, which could complicate its relations with the EU. EU foreign policy institutions would need to balance human rights advocacy with strategic interests in the region. Human rights NGOs would welcome the amendment as a step towards greater accountability, while business interests with ties to Pakistan may face reputational risks if the resolution leads to trade or aid conditionality.
Following the plenary vote, if adopted, the resolution will be forwarded to the European Commission, the Council, and the European External Action Service for consideration in their external action. The amendment's fate depends on a simple majority in plenary.