Pakistan steps up efforts for renewal of GSP+ status

Pakistan is stepping up its efforts to strengthen compliance with important international treaties which encompass a broad spectrum of human rights, labor regulations, and environmental safeguards as the 10-year preferential trade agreement with the European Union approaches its expiration this year.

The last evaluation report for the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) for 2014–2023 was already completed by the EU monitoring team after their visit to Pakistan, and it was scheduled to be made public either this month or in July.

The report will elaborate on Pakistan’s performance in terms of human rights, labour standards, press freedom and environmental protection, which are linked with the availing of GSP+ preferences. The report will also become a basis for the renewal of GSP+ status for Pakistan, reports Dawn.

The current scheme, launched in 2014 for 13 countries including Pakistan, will expire in 2023. The EU Council and parliament will also finalise new GSP terms, which will spell out details for compliance and implementation.

For making Pakistan’s case for the next GSP, the Parliamentarian’s Commission for Human Rights (PCHR) and Justice Project Pakistan would hold a consultation session in Islamabad from June 5-8 to assess recent developments, highlight progress, and frame strategic recommendations for continued reform.

These high-level consultations will foster discussion on human rights priorities defined in the last GSP+ report while shedding light on problematic areas where concrete reform is needed.