Pakistan 'disappointed' with EU report on GSP+ compliance issues, says it understates reforms

Pakistan has voiced disappointment with a recent European Union report that highlighted compliance issues under the bloc's Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+). The report, part of the EU Commission's global assessment for 2023-2025, stated that Pakistan had "regressed in a number of areas while positive change was limited."

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Nevertheless, I would be remiss if I do not express disappointment with the assessment, with the report’s overall narrative which does not present sufficiently balanced pictures of Pakistan’s performance.

Responding to the assessment, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi acknowledged the report's recognition of Pakistan's legislative progress and continued adherence to 27 international conventions linked to the GSP+. However, he expressed dismay at the report's "overall narrative," arguing it failed to provide a sufficiently balanced view of Pakistan's performance.

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The EU report “understates the breadth of reforms undertaken since Pakistan joined GSP+ in 2014” and “places disproportionate emphasis on the lower-than-desired progress in a few areas”.

Andrabi contended that the EU report "understates the breadth of reforms undertaken since Pakistan joined GSP+ in 2014" and places "disproportionate emphasis on the lower-than-desired progress in a few areas." He stressed that the GSP+ remains a "mutually beneficial arrangement" crucial for Pakistan's economic ties with the EU, supporting exports, employment, women's economic participation, and poverty reduction.

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GSP+ remained “central to Pakistan’s economic relationship with the EU, supporting exports, employment, women’s economic participation, poverty reduction and broader economic development”.

Despite the criticisms, Pakistan affirmed its commitment to constructive engagement with the European Commission and other EU institutions. The Foreign Office reiterated its dedication to the effective implementation of the international conventions underpinning the GSP framework, noting that cooperation with the EU extends beyond trade to development, counterterrorism, and climate resilience.

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We will remain constructively engaged with the European Commission and other EU institutions and remain committed to the effective implementation of international conventions underpinning the GSP framework.