European Commission Warns Pakistan Over GSP+ Human Rights Compliance

The European Commission released a monitoring report on Thursday detailing Pakistan's compliance with the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) framework for the 2023-2025 period. While the report acknowledges legislative progress, such as the Domestic Violence Bill and the creation of the National Commission for Minorities, it concludes that Pakistan has regressed in several critical areas.

Commission officials cited a rise in extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and a decline in media freedom as primary concerns. The report also flagged the potential erosion of judicial independence following recent constitutional amendments. These issues must be resolved for Pakistan to remain eligible under the revised GSP+ regime beginning in 2027.

In response to the findings, Federal Minister for Law and Human Rights Azam Nazeer Tarar met with an EU delegation led by Ambassador Raimundas Karoblis in Islamabad. Tarar reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to legal reforms and human rights. The economic stakes remain high, as Pakistan is the scheme's largest beneficiary, receiving roughly €732 million in tariff exemptions in 2024 with the EU accounting for 28% of its total exports.