EU links GSP+ to rights progress

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s access to GSP+ is neither guaranteed nor automatic, said European Union Ambassador Raimundas Karoblis, adding that the country needs to do more on blasphemy, enforced disappearances and minority rights.

“The most important issue for us is blasphemy cases and enforced disappearances. We also expect to see a revision of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA),” said Raimundas Karoblis, expressing concerns with the present implementation of the law, besides some other issues where the situation could be better. “But these four issues we expect more progress,” said the EU ambassador at an engagement with media persons, ahead of the upcoming High-Level EU-Pakistan Business Forum, starting April 28-29. The event was an opportunity for open exchange on the forum and the broader outlook for EU-Pakistan economic relations.

He said that PECA should not be used as a political tool, adding, “We are not interfering in Pakistan’s internal affairs. We are not imposing new standards. We are sticking only to the conventions of the United Nations, and Pakistan is a signatory to those conventions.”

Nonetheless, Raimundas Karoblis said the forum, bringing together senior policymakers, European and Pakistani business leaders, investors, and EU financial institutions at a pivotal moment for economic cooperation, would unlock investment and trade opportunities.

The EU was the world’s largest single market, a major source of global Foreign Direct Investment, and, by far, Pakistan’s largest export destination. The Forum marked a significant step forward in the EU-Pakistan economic partnership, as both sides sought to translate strong trade ties into increased investment flows, technology partnerships, enhanced innovation and sustainable industrial growth, the media was informed.

Discussions will focus on priority sectors with high potential for bilateral collaboration, including agri-business, digital innovation and fintech, green logistics, textiles and apparel, and responsible mining. These sectors aligned closely with Pakistan’s economic transformation agenda and the EU’s strategic investment priorities under its Global Gateway initiative.

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2026

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