ISLAMABAD; Pakistan will keep on enjoying GSP Plus status as European Commission has not made any review to it in its on-going session.
According to the European Commission , Pakistan will keep enjoying the status of GSP Plus granted for better access to European market due to its valuable contribution in Afghan crisis
The European Commission had granted Pakistan GSP Plus status in 2014. It was extended in 2017 and for the second time in 2020 till 2022. But in May last, European Commission had taken strong exception to rising cases of blasphamy against minorites in Pakistan , besides growing cases of violence against journalists and warned Islamabad of withdrawal of GSP Plus status if it did not improve in these areas. This warning had created uncertainity in Pakistan as GSP Plus status is a major window to help it find new markets for its unconventional products’ exports to the European countries.
Under GSP Plus status, Pakistan is getting special concessions in terms of duties and taxes on its exports to European Union member countries.
According to the European Commission, Pakistan’s role in bringing peace and stability in Afghanistan helped it improve its image globally and for the same its status of GSP Plus will remain intact. However, the European Commission has introduced 6 more conventions to Pakistan relating to improvement in some key areas like basic rights of the minorities and child labour.