Islamabad: The European Union (EU) has said that political turmoil, constitutional challenges, economic crisis, high inflation and severe shortage of foreign reserves are continuously affecting Pakistan.
According to the fourth joint GSP Review Report, the progress of eight GSP+ beneficiary countries, including Pakistan, was shared in the effective implementation of the 27 international core conventions underlying the GSP+ scheme, which is required for beneficiary countries to continue benefiting from GSP+ status. The 27 conventions cover the four areas of human rights, labour rights, environmental standards and good governance for 2020 to 2022.
The report further highlights areas where more progress is needed. So far, four biennial reviews have been concluded under the current GSP scheme.
According to the report, after a no-confidence vote ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan, who had taken office during the previous monitoring period, a broad coalition government under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formed the federal government in April 2022. Since then, the political scene in Pakistan has seen increasing polarisation and controversy about former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The political stand-off culminated in May 2023 with the detention of Imran Khan and members of his party, as well as street protests with violence against security forces and their installations. In the aftermath, many protesters were arrested and taken for trial, including at military and anti-terrorism courts. Internet and social media were temporarily shut down. In early August 2023, former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested again and convicted, disqualifying him from contesting the next general elections. In August 2023, the National Assembly was dissolved a few days before the end of its term. Since then, a caretaker government has been in place with a limited mandate until general elections.
