EU notes ‘issues’ in Pakistan’s GSP+ compliance, urges Islamabad to address 'shortcomings'

Lead

The European Union has formally noted "issues" in Pakistan's compliance with its commitments under the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), cautioning that Islamabad must address these shortcomings to retain preferential trade access under the bloc's revised framework, which takes effect in January 2027.

The caution came in the European Commission's latest report on the implementation of the GSP for the 2023-2025 period, which stated that Pakistan had "been facing compliance issues with its GSP+ obligations" and had "regressed in a number of areas while positive change was limited," as reported by Dawn. The report, jointly published by the European Commission and the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, is the final monitoring assessment under the existing GSP regulation.

Pakistan's Foreign Office responded with "disappointment," arguing that the report's overall narrative does not present a sufficiently balanced picture of the country's performance.

Coverage Comparison

Dawn's coverage of the EU's assessment presents multiple angles. One report frames the situation as "Pakistan faces tough choices ahead," emphasizing that the EU's verdict "does not make for comfortable reading." It notes that under the new trade rules, Pakistan will not simply be monitored but must reapply for GSP+ status, submit a written plan of action, and win Brussels' approval by the end of 2028.

Another report focuses on the meeting between Federal Minister for Law and Human Rights Azam Nazeer Tarar and an EU delegation led by Ambassador Raimundas Karoblis, where Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to fulfilling GSP+ obligations and advancing human rights.

A third report highlights the EU's concerns over human rights and rule of law, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and restrictions on freedom of expression. A fourth report covers Pakistan's official response, with Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi expressing disappointment and calling the assessment an "unbalanced narrative."

Key Claims

• The European Commission's report said Pakistan had "regressed in a number of areas while positive change was limited," as reported by Dawn.
• The EU's new trade rules will come into effect in January 2027, requiring existing beneficiaries to reapply for GSP+ status under more stringent sustainability and governance requirements, according to Dawn's reporting.
• Pakistan must submit a written plan of action and win Brussels' approval by the end of 2028, as stated in one Dawn report.
• The report identified key priorities for future engagement, including ensuring accountability for human rights violations, increased efforts against torture, prison and capital punishment reforms, and reversing negative developments related to enforced disappearances and violations of freedom of expression.
• At the same time, the EU acknowledged positive legislative measures, including the establishment of the National Commission for Minorities, the narrowing of the scope of the death penalty, and new laws against child marriage and domestic violence, as noted in Dawn's coverage.
• Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi expressed disappointment, stating that the report "understates the breadth of reforms undertaken since Pakistan joined GSP+ in 2014" and "places disproportionate emphasis on the lower-than-desired progress in a few areas."
• Andrabi affirmed that GSP+ remains "central to Pakistan's economic relationship with the EU," supporting exports, employment, women's economic participation, poverty reduction, and broader economic development.
• The GSP+ arrangement has provided significant economic benefits to Pakistan, with approximately €732 million in tariff exemptions in 2024, according to one Dawn report, which also noted that the tariff savings alone can mean the difference between profit and loss for Pakistan's textile sector, the single biggest beneficiary of the scheme.
• One Dawn report argued that the reforms Brusselsexpecting are not concessions extracted by a foreign power but obligations Pakistan freely undertook to take advantage of the GSP+ scheme, and that they align with Pakistan's own goals for a stronger, more stable, and more prosperous country.

Perspectives

European Union

The European Commission's report, as covered by Dawn, expresses concerns over Pakistan's compliance with GSP+ obligations, particularly in areas of human rights and rule of law. It calls on Pakistan to ensure accountability for human rights violations, increase efforts against torture, implement prison and capital punishment reforms, and reverse negative developments related to enforced disappearances and freedom of expression.

Pakistan (Foreign Office)

Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, as reported by Dawn, expressed disappointment with the report's "overall narrative," stating it does not present a sufficiently balanced picture of Pakistan's performance. He affirmed Pakistan's commitment to the effective implementation of international conventions underpinning the GSP framework and highlighted the scheme's mutual benefits.

Pakistan (Law Ministry)

Federal Minister for Law and Human Rights Azam Nazeer Tarar, during a meeting with the EU delegation, reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the GSP+ framework and advancing human rights. He briefed the delegation on ongoing legal and institutional reforms, including the establishment of the National Commission for Minorities and the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act.