Pakistan has spent the last decade benefiting from the European Union’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status, which allows it preferential trade access to EU markets. However, a recent biennial assessment reveals a disturbing reality: Pakistan has failed to meet the basic requirements of the scheme. Instead of using the preferential trade benefits to advance human rights, labor rights, environmental protection, and good governance, Pakistan has systematically sidestepped its obligations. What was once a major economic opportunity has become a showcase of state failure and non-compliance with international standards.
Since 2014, Pakistan has enjoyed the GSP+ status, which has significantly boosted its exports to the European Union. Yet, despite this economic windfall, the Pakistani government has repeatedly neglected to uphold the 27 international conventions that form the backbone of the arrangement. These conventions cover a wide range of issues, from civil and political rights to labor protections and environmental sustainability. However, in the face of EU criticism, Pakistan’s response has been to deflect attention rather than address the root causes of its failure to implement meaningful reforms.
One of the most glaring issues is Pakistan’s failure to adopt effective mechanisms to monitor and enforce GSP+ compliance. The Treaty Implementation Cells (TICs), meant to oversee compliance at the provincial level, are either underfunded or non-existent in many regions. This lack of institutional capacity and political will means that the country’s obligations under GSP+ are routinely ignored.
A particularly troubling example of state non-compliance is Pakistan’s treatment of its religious minorities. Despite pledging to combat discrimination, the state continues to fail in its duty to protect minorities from violence, forced conversions, and discriminatory practices. The state’s refusal to pass laws against forced conversions, which often involve minors, further highlights its inaction. Blasphemy laws, often used to target religious minorities, continue to be a tool of state-sanctioned abuse, with thousands of cases filed each year against non-Muslim religious communities.
Additionally, Pakistan’s press freedom record paints a bleak picture of state repression. Ranked 150th out of 180 countries for press freedom, the government frequently uses regulatory agencies to suppress media outlets critical of its policies. The May 2023 communication blackout, which affected 125 million people, violated international norms on freedom of expression and further undermined Pakistan’s commitment to its GSP+ obligations.
Equally troubling are the ongoing cases of enforced disappearances, which have become a hallmark of Pakistan’s human rights violations. Between 2011 and 2023, nearly 10,000 cases were reported, yet the perpetrators remain largely unaccountable, and the state has failed to enact federal legislation to prevent such abuses. This practice violates international law, particularly the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees protection against arbitrary detention.
Pakistan's failure to address labor rights issues also raises serious concerns. Child labor remains prevalent, with surveys showing that over 13% of children in Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan are working in hazardous conditions. Religious minorities are disproportionately represented in low-wage, dangerous jobs, while women’s labor market participation remains below 21%, far below the global average.
As Pakistan nears its fifth biennial review in 2025, the stakes could not be higher. The EU is set to expand its GSP+ conventions from 27 to 32, requiring Pakistan to reapply for the continuation of benefits. However, instead of addressing criticism, the Pakistani government has opted for diplomatic maneuvering, focusing on defense and security issues rather than human rights reform. This approach has left many wondering whether the EU will continue to offer preferential trade access to a country that consistently fails to uphold the very principles it pledged to respect.
For Pakistan, the future of its GSP+ status hangs in the balance. With continued non-compliance and a lack of meaningful reform, the country risks losing not only its trade privileges but also its credibility on the international stage. The question remains: will Pakistan continue to prioritize economic gain over human rights, or will it finally take the necessary steps to reform and meet its obligations under GSP+?
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