Pakistan showcases governance, rights reforms in talks with EU
KARACHI: Pakistan on Monday apprised a European Union (EU) delegation of measures taken to strengthen governance and human rights protections, reaffirming the country’s resolve to uphold obligations under the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) framework.
The development came as a high-level delegation of the European Parliament’s Committee on Development, led by Lukas Mandl (Austria), visited the Ministry of Commerce, Islamabad, for a discussion with Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan.
EU Ambassador to Pakistan Raimundas Karoblis also accompanied the delegation.
The EU’s GSP+ gives developing countries a special incentive to pursue sustainable development and good governance.
Eligible countries have to implement 27 international conventions on human rights, labour rights, environment, and good governance.
In return, the EU cuts its import duties to zero on more than two thirds of the tariff lines of their exports.
The beneficiary countries include Pakistan, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Uzbekistan.
Pakistan’s GSP+ status expired in 2023, but the current GSP scheme has been extended for four years until 2027. Pakistan can continue to benefit from it with new requirements to meet.
According to a statement from the Commerce ministry, the Monday’s meeting underscored Pakistan’s continued commitment to strengthening EU–Pakistan relations, particularly under the GSP+ framework, which has played a crucial role in promoting sustainable trade, development cooperation, and human rights in Pakistan.
During the meeting, the minister shared that Pakistan has been elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2026–2028 term and the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) has been granted “A status” accreditation by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) – a recognition of Pakistan’s institutional progress.
Jam Kamal Khan further informed that Pakistan has harmonized the legal age of marriage and passed laws such as the Islamabad Child Marriage Restraint Act 2025.
“Other important legislative initiatives include the establishment of the Commission for the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals, the forthcoming National Commission for Minorities, and the Policy on Interfaith Harmony – reflecting the government’s dedication to freedom, tolerance, and social cohesion,” the ministry statement read.
He discussed the government’s measures to address challenges related to high taxation, energy costs, and interest rates.
The minister also highlighted promising areas for EU investment, particularly in agriculture, food processing, seed development, value-added exports, manufacturing, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and e-commerce.
Khan invited European companies to partner with Pakistan in technology transfer, sustainable farming, and food-chain innovation. Staff Report
