Pakistan’s preferential trade status could possibly be jeopardized if it doesn’t address human rights concerns, including controversial blasphemy laws, forced marriages/conversions of minority girls and freedom of faith, a European Union (EU) delegation said on Friday.
The delegation led by EU Special Representative on Human Rights Olof Skoog warned in a press statement that Pakistan mustn’t take its Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status without any consideration. The delegation noted that Pakistan’s trade advantages depend upon progress made in addressing concerns about human rights, which also include freedom of expression.
“As we approach the midterm of the present monitoring cycle, we encourage Pakistan to proceed on its reform path because it prepares for reapplication under the upcoming recent GSP+ regulation,” the EU delegation stated. “The trade advantages under GSP+ depend upon the progress made on addressing an inventory of issues, including on human rights, and tangible reforms remain essential.”
It added that Pakistan remained a key partner for the EU in South Asia and that relations with the bloc were built on shared values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, guided by the principles of the U.N. Charter and international norms.
“The EU welcomes the undeniable fact that Pakistan has change into the biggest beneficiary of GSP+, with Pakistani businesses increasing their exports to the EU market by 108 percent because the launch of the trade scheme in 2014,” the delegation stated.
The EU is Pakistan’s second largest trading partner, with the GSP+ status allowing the country to enjoy duty-free or minimum duty on European exports. The scheme, nevertheless, is conditional on beneficiary countries demonstrating tangible progress in implementing 27 international conventions on human and labor rights, environmental protection, climate change and good governance.
According to the press statement, the EU mission, which is on a weeklong visit to Pakistan ahead of a key GSP+ monitoring mission in June, aimed to have interaction the country on essentially the most pressing human rights and labor rights issues and discuss Pakistan’s plans to handle them, including the continued assessment under the GSP+ trade scheme.
The delegation met with senior officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Gen. Asim Munir, Minister of Law, Justice and Human Rights Azam Nazeer Tarar, Federal Minister of Commerce Jam Kamal, and Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch. In those meetings Skoog highlighted application of blasphemy laws, women’s rights, forced marriages and conversions, enforced disappearances, freedoms of expression, religion or belief, independence of media, impunity for rights violations, due process and the best to a good trial, civic space, and the death penalty.
In a gathering with Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, the main target was on judicial backlog in addition to the integrity and independence of the judiciary.
Throughout Skoog’s visit, the special envoy acknowledged the essential role of the National Commission of Human Rights (NCHR) and underlined the necessity to preserve its independence, the statement added.
“In the context of the upcoming GSP+ monitoring mission, the special envoy encouraged Pakistani authorities to make sure the implementation of all relevant international conventions,” the EU delegation stated.
Skoog also visited Lahore to satisfy with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and Minister for Minorities Affairs in Punjab, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora and representatives of the Christian and Ahmadi communities. Discussions centered on freedom of faith or belief, the protection of minority rights, and accountability for violations and abuses of human rights.
None of the 4 Christian lawmakers within the Punjab Assembly, nevertheless, were invited to the meetings with the visiting EU delegation, Christian Daily International-Morning Star News learned.
“Neither the EU mission in Pakistan nor the Pakistan government informed us in regards to the delegation’s visit,” said a Christian lawmaker who requested anonymity for fear of backlash. “We don’t even know which Christian representatives were chosen to satisfy with Ambassador Skoog. It’s quite obvious that the federal government handpicked those individuals who would tout the official narrative of ‘all is well’ and refrain from presenting the true picture.”
The lawmaker said that that they had conveyed their reservations to the EU mission and hoped that it will arrange their meeting with the delegation before the top of the visit.
Speaking to journalists within the federal capital Islamabad on Wednesday (Jan. 29), Skoog emphasized the EU’s commitment to democracy, human rights and international humanitarian law.
“There are ongoing discussions about freedom of expression and media freedom in Pakistan,” Skoog said.
He added that he wanted to make use of his mandate to foster direct engagement with countries, moving beyond standard formal dialogues to handle core issues within the absence of a dedicated human rights dialogue at his level.
The EU’s GSP+ framework, as detailed by Skoog, serves as a robust platform for collaboration on human rights, with Pakistan as a significant beneficiary.
“The GSP+ is a major economic boost, facilitating Pakistan to change into the EU’s largest export market, surpassing each China and the U.S.,” the ambassador said.
He emphasized the substantial economic impact of nearly a billion dollars in tariff exemptions, underlining its importance to Pakistan’s economy. The GSP+ framework demands adherence to international human rights obligations, and its scope extends beyond labor conditions and child labor to encompass a broader range of human rights issues.
Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan acknowledged the EU’s warning at a weekly press briefing on Thursday (Jan. 30).
“The GSP+ status is only one aspect of the Pak-EU partnership,” Khan said. “The visit of the EU’s special envoy can also be a part of the routine.”
Pakistan was awarded GSP+ status on Jan. 1, 2014 after the country ratified 27 international conventions and committed to implement them. The EU GSP+ serves as a special incentive arrangement to advertise good governance and sustainable development by facilitating trade. The incentive grants Pakistan zero-rated or preferential tariffs on nearly 66 percent of tariff lines, enhancing the country’s ability to export to the EU market.
GSP+ has proven to be pivotal for EU-Pakistan bilateral trade ties. From 2014 to 2022, Pakistan’s exports to the EU increased by 108 percent, while imports from the EU increased by 65 percent and total trade volume increased from 8.3 billion euros in 2013 to 14.85 billion euros. Pakistan’s garments, bedlinen, terry towels, hosiery, leather, sports and surgical goods and similar products enter the EU market availing the GSP+ concessions, in response to the EU website.
© Christian Daily International-Morning Star News
