The Generalized System of Preferences Plus (GSP+) is a trade incentive program by the European Union (EU) that allows developing countries like Pakistan to export goods to the EU market at zero or significantly reduced tariffs.
In exchange for this massive economic benefit, the country must implement 27 international conventions related to human rights, labour rights, environmental protection, and good governance. It is a European Union (EU) special incentive arrangement for sustainable development and good governance, granting vulnerable developing countries duty-free or significantly reduced duties on over 66% of tariff lines.
It requires beneficiary countries to ratify and implement 27 international conventions on human rights, labor rights, environmental protection, and good governance, with beneficiaries monitored every two years. Since 2014 Pakistan has utilized GSP+ to significantly increase textile and home textile exports to the EU, which saw more than 46.5% growth, with over 95% utilization rates. The scheme allows countries like Pakistan to increase export earnings and improve macroeconomic indicators.
It enables countries to reduce export costs and gain a competitive edge in European markets for apparel, leather goods, and surgical instruments. Countries are required to actively align their national laws and actions with international standards, such as combating forced labor and improving environmental protection.
The confusion began because Qasim spoke at a side event titled “Pakistan’s GSP+ status: human rights conditionality, treaty obligations and accountability.” While other participants at the event (including some PTI-linked figures and Baloch activists) may have called for suspension as a pressure tactics.
However, Qasim Khan, son of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has clarified his stance on Pakistan’s GSP+ trade status following a wave of criticism from government ministers who accused him of “economic sabotage.”
Speaking at a side event during the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Qasim raised alarms over the “inhumane” treatment of his father in Adiala Jail. Viral clips of the session led to claims that he was lobbying the European Union to strip Pakistan of its preferential trade access—a move that could devastate Pakistan’s multi-billion-dollar textile exports.
However, in a statement issued on Thursday, Qasim rejected these claims. “I want to be very clear. I fully support maintaining GSP+,” he stated. He argued that his goal was to highlight that the current administration is failing to meet the human rights benchmarks required by the EU, thereby putting the status at risk through its own actions.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar earlier condemned the PTI leadership, alleging that the party was once again targeting the national economy to settle political scores. Despite the political heat, independent fact-checkers confirmed that the full transcript of Qasim’s speech contained no formal request for the termination of the trade agreement.
Read also: Imran’s son Qasim Khan seeks EU to revoke Pakistan’s GSP+ status
