The European Union has cautioned Pakistan that it must address shortcomings in its compliance with the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) commitments to remain eligible for preferential trade access under the revised framework that will take effect in 2027.
In its latest GSP implementation report covering the 2023–2025 period, the European Commission stated that Pakistan had experienced setbacks in fulfilling several of its GSP+ obligations. While acknowledging a number of legislative and institutional reforms, the Commission concluded that progress had been limited and insufficient in several key areas.
The report stressed that Pakistan’s future eligibility for GSP+ would depend on measurable improvements in human rights, governance, labour standards, environmental protection, climate commitments, and the rule of law. It identified priority areas including accountability for human rights violations, stronger action against torture, prison and capital punishment reforms, legislation criminalising enforced disappearances, and greater protection for freedom of expression.
The Commission welcomed several positive developments, including the strengthening of the National Commission for Human Rights, legislation establishing a National Commission for Minorities, reforms narrowing the scope of the death penalty, implementation of the Anti-Torture Act, the Domestic Violence Act for Islamabad Capital Territory, and Pakistan’s first conviction in a marital rape case. However, it noted that most reforms remained legislative or administrative and had yet to produce meaningful improvements on the ground.
Regarding labour rights, the report appreciated Pakistan’s ratification of the 2014 International Labour Organisation Protocol on Forced Labour and the expansion of labour inspection mechanisms. Nevertheless, it observed that enforcement remained weak, while forced labour and child labour continued to pose significant challenges.
The Commission expressed serious concern over Pakistan’s human rights situation, citing increased reports of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, restrictions on freedom of expression, shrinking civic space, and inadequate accountability. It also criticised amendments to cybercrime, anti-terrorism, blasphemy, and related laws, warning that broadly worded provisions could be used against journalists, political opponents, human rights defenders, minorities, and civil society activists.
The report further highlighted concerns over judicial independence following recent constitutional amendments, alleged irregularities surrounding the 2024 general elections, military influence in governance, and the detention and prosecution of opposition leaders. It reiterated that military trials do not meet international fair trial standards under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
Additional concerns included discrimination against religious minorities, violence against women and children, child marriages, child labour, overcrowded prisons, out-of-school children, and the treatment of Afghan refugees under Pakistan’s repatriation programme.
Despite these concerns, the Commission acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen social protection programmes, expand education initiatives, improve prison reforms, and enhance institutional mechanisms for protecting human rights.
Pakistan remains the largest beneficiary of the EU’s GSP+ programme, which grants preferential market access in return for implementing 27 international conventions on human rights, labour rights, environmental protection, climate action, and good governance.
The European Union remains Pakistan’s largest export market, accounting for 28 percent of total exports. Textiles and garments comprise approximately 70–76 percent of Pakistan’s exports to the EU. During 2024, Pakistan exported goods worth €8.3 billion to the European market, while approximately 95 percent of eligible exports utilised GSP+ preferences, generating an estimated €732 million in tariff savings.
The revised GSP framework, effective from January 1, 2027, will require all current beneficiaries, including Pakistan, to reapply under stricter sustainability, governance, and human rights requirements.
