August 31, 2026
By Xari Jalil
Since January 2014, Pakistan has GSP+ status and can benefit from preferential access to the EU market. In compliance with the GSP Regulation, Pakistan has ratified all 27 core international conventions on human rights, labour standards, environmental protection, and good governance. With a per-capita income of $1,485 in 2024, Pakistan is classified as a lower-middle income economy. Total EU imports from Pakistan amounted to €8.3 billion in 2024, of which €7.1 billion were imported using the GSP+ preferences. This makes Pakistan the largest beneficiary among all GSP+ countries. In this significant interview Munizae Jahangir talks to Raimundas Karoblis, Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan on the current situation of where Pakistan stands.
LAHORE
Pakistan’s continuation under the European Union’s GSP+ trade scheme from 2029 is “not certain” or “guaranteed”, with the country’s implementation of United Nations human rights conventions likely to be a decisive factor, Raimundas Karoblis, the EU ambassador to Pakistan, said in an interview recently with senior journalist Munizae Jahangir.
“Frankly speaking, I don’t know” whether Pakistan will retain GSP+, the ambassador said, stressing that the decision would depend on the level of implementation of UN conventions.
“It is not certain and it is not guaranteed,” he stressed. “It depends on the level of implementation of the United Nations conventions. One of the preconditions within the present GSP+ scheme and the future scheme is the absence of a serious failure in implementing the United Nations conventions. This is based, first of all, on the conclusions of the United Nations monitoring bodies.”
Karoblis added that he ‘hoped that the government would take the necessary measures to comply with the concrete elements and issues already highlighted in the newest GSP+ report, in order, of course, to achieve a positive result in the application.’
He also highlighted that while there were 27 conventions now, within the new system there will be 32 conventions.
“All of them have been ratified by Pakistan,” he said. “From a legal point of view, the first condition is therefore fulfilled. But now, particularly with the new scheme, the emphasis will be exactly on implementation. I mentioned already that the government will need to present an action plan with concrete measures for implementing or improving the implementation of the United Nations conventions. It will also need concrete timeframes and concrete performance indicators. So, indeed, implementation is really important.”
Karoblis reiterated, that it was not just about the future, it was also about the ‘current and present record’.
Under the existing GSP+ scheme, Pakistan benefits from tariff exemptions estimated at around €732 million, with the textile sector among the major beneficiaries. GSP+ (Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus) is a trade incentive offered by the European Union to developing countries.
The ambassador said a key precondition under both the existing and proposed GSP+ schemes was the absence of a “serious failure” in implementing the UN conventions. Assessments by UN monitoring bodies would play an important role in determining whether that threshold had been met.
Pakistan has ratified all 27 conventions required under the present GSP+ scheme. Under the proposed new system, the number will rise to 32, all of which have already been ratified by Pakistan.
“From a legal point of view, the first condition is therefore fulfilled,” the ambassador said. “But now, particularly with the new scheme, the emphasis will be exactly on implementation.”
Human rights are ‘red zones’
Answering a question whether Pakistan had made any progress whatsoever, the ambassador said that there had been some advancements since 2014, as well as during the last two years.
“For example, there has been a reduction in the scope of the death penalty, a de facto moratorium on executions, implementation of legislation on torture, child marriage laws, and the strengthening of institutions responsible for human rights, such as the National Commission on Human Rights (NCHR) and the role of the Ministry of Law and Justice, among others,” he said. “But together with that, there has also been regression in some elements of human rights. The main areas of concern are enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, freedom of expression, the rights of journalists, and minority rights.”
He added that based on the recent GSP+ report, issued in July 2026, along with reports from United Nations monitoring bodies as well as discussions with others, the ambassador expressed serious doubts about the effective implementation of certain conventions, particularly in these areas.
While acknowledging progress in Pakistan since 2014, including a reduction in the scope of the death penalty, a de facto moratorium on executions, legislation on torture and child marriage, and the strengthening of human rights institutions, the ambassador said there had also been regression in several areas.
“There has also been regression in some elements of human rights,” identifying enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, freedom of expression, journalists’ rights and minority rights as the main areas of concern.
According to the ambassador, recent findings had raised “serious doubts” about the effective implementation of certain UN conventions and placed some areas in what he described as “red zones”.
“In order to achieve a positive result with the reapplication, progress is therefore needed in precisely these areas,” he said. The ambassador stressed that the EU was not ‘demanding perfection’ or ‘European-level standards’ from Pakistan, but rather a certain level of implementation of the UN conventions to which Pakistan had committed itself.
Regarding the action plan which you just mentioned, Karoblis said that the European Union and the European Commission are looking for implementation under the present GSP+ scheme as well. “Now, there will be more emphasis on this within the new scheme, but let me explain the situation,” he said. “The European Union does not require perfection. Of course, there are challenges in the countries that benefit from GSP+.
These are countries at different levels of development, and there are specific risks, including security risks, which we recognise in Pakistan without any doubt.
We are not talking about European-level standards or commitments. Nobody and nothing is perfect. But, of course, we expect a certain level of implementation,” he said.
Downgrade to ordinary GSP if GSP+ is lost
However the ambassador also specified that if Pakistan does not reapply for GSP+, or fails to meet the conditions for the scheme, it would revert to ordinary GSP rather than lose all preferential trade treatment. Under ordinary GSP, tariffs would remain approximately 30 per cent lower than conventional tariffs applied to countries such as China and the United States, although they would be higher than under GSP+.
However he said that this was more relevant to the majority of other developing countries. For example, India does not have GSP for all products.
“This would be for countries of a certain level of development – countries of medium-level development,” he specified. “Roughly speaking, it means approximately 30% lower tariffs compared with conventional tariffs. So, the tariffs would be around 30% lower than those applied to countries such as China, the United States and others.
When asked, if Pakistan is not able to meet those conditions, will it be downgraded, Ambassador Karoblis asnwered, “It will not mean zero tariffs. In that case, the tariffs will be higher, but they will still be approximately 30% lower than those applied, for example, to China.”
Defamation laws and freedom of expression: a huge concern for EU
Freedom of expression and the treatment of journalists were highlighted as another one of the ‘red zones’.
The ambassador said there were doubts about Pakistan’s ability to effectively implement the relevant UN conventions, citing both the “letter” and practice of the amended Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), Punjab’s defamation laws and aspects of counterterrorism legislation.
“These are issues which really should be addressed in order to change the situation, make progress and tackle the challenges journalists face today,” he said.
Enforced disappearances
Enforced disappearances has been something that the European Union has been consistently speaking about since the last four or five years. Ambassador Karoblis was asked what the government’s response was when the EU approached them and spoke to them about enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions.
He said that the government had given them various responses.
“The first response is that we are in a specific security situation, which is true,” he said. “Pakistan ranks number one on the Global Terrorism Index. But our view is that even in this situation, human rights conventions and guarantees should be applied. We are not saying that the government should not fight against terrorism. But basic rights, such as the right of defence and the right of access to families, should be protected.”
He said that at the same time, perpetrators should be held responsible and brought to justice.
“There should also be enhanced monitoring of cases involving enforced disappearances, for example. These are elements which, in our view, are manageable and should be implemented. So far, speaking with different stakeholders, the answers are slightly different in tone. But the question is really up to the government to decide whether, because of its position on security, it wants to move on this issue and in which direction.
We very much expect, and we explain to all stakeholders, that this is one of the essential areas where we really need progress.”
Blasphemy cases and minority rights
Regarding blasphemy cases, the ambassador welcomed government efforts to reduce the number of cases from their peak, seen several years ago, as well as court decisions in Islamabad and Sindh that resulted in more than 100 people being released on bail. However, he said the situation in Punjab was still a major concern, with around 500 people, including young people, still affected.
A few years ago in April 2021, the European Parliament had adopted a resolution also calling for a review of Pakistan’s GSP+ status. It had said that there had been an alarming rise in blasphemy cases and attacks on journalists, while also talking about freedom of expression and attacks on journalists, both online and offline.
In particular, speaking about blasphemy gangs, it seems that their role has been reduced, said the ambassador.
“But what we hear is that they are still active. Certain credible guarantees are necessary so that this kind of provocation should not work anymore.
The ambassador also expressed concern over the continued activity of what he described as “blasphemy gangs” and called for credible guarantees to prevent such provocations from succeeding.
The situation of the Ahmadiyya community was described as “another concern – and a major concern”.
“Ahmadis are also citizens of Pakistan, and their rights should also be respected,” he said, calling for protection of their physical security, places of worship and other rights.
He said the EU was discussing issues including registration of marriages and documentation with the government, but acknowledged that “there is not yet anything concrete”.
The ambassador said the issue should be addressed positively “sooner rather than later”, and at the latest during Pakistan’s GSP+ reapplication period.
Military trials of civilians raise concerns
The GSP+ report has also highlighted the issue of abusive judicial proceedings. and the detention of opposition leaders, including the former Prime Minister, with concerns over fair trial standards and detention conditions, including access to lawyers, visitors and medical care.
“Political pluralism is one of the issues which we are raising in our human rights dialogues, in the specific subgroup on democracy, rule of law and human rights,” he said. “In these cases, the same as with the majority of other cases involving people who are in prison, we are looking primarily at issues such as conditions of imprisonment, conditions relating to torture, for example. We are also looking at issues concerning the right of defence and similar matters.’
He specified that the EU was not intervening in concrete cases.
“Only the court should make the decision as to whether this person is guilty or not guilty, and I hope that in this case also the court will make a proper and justified verdict, one way or another,” he said.
The ambassador also raised concerns over the trial of civilians by military courts, saying that while the EU recognised Pakistan’s security concerns, the expansion of military courts to civilians raised questions of proportionality.
The issue was particularly relevant to Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees fair-trial rights, he said.
“It is really up to experts to look at this in more detail,” he said, referring particularly to UN experts who would assess whether the measures were proportionate and whether they constituted violations of the relevant conventions.
The issue, he confirmed, was also reflected in the EU’s GSP+ report.
Judicial independence and constitutional amendments
Asked about concerns over Pakistan’s recent constitutional amendments and their impact on judicial independence, the ambassador said the EU was particularly concerned about the broader “tendencies” surrounding the reorganisation of the judicial system.
He said the creation of a Federal Constitutional Court was not, in itself, necessarily an issue, but that questions surrounding the appointment of judges to specific courts could potentially raise concerns.
The ambassador noted that UN statements issued after the amendments, as well as international civil society organisations, had expressed concerns.
Internet shutdowns
On restrictions on internet connectivity, including the complete shutdown reported in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), the ambassador said the issue was not covered by the latest GSP+ report because its reference period ended before the developments.
He acknowledged that internet restrictions could be imposed in conflict situations for security reasons, but stressed that they must be proportionate.
Asked specifically about the AJK shutdown, he said he was personally doubtful about whether such a measure was proportionate, particularly because the situation did not concern a counterterrorism operation or military activity.
He said further assessment would need to be made against relevant UN standards.
Afghan refugees
Regarding Afghan refugees, Munizae Jahangir highlighted that the GSP+ report also talked about the Afghan refugees
She said that Pakistan must have a legislative and institutional framework to guarantee their rights, however at the same time, the EU is being criticised for not accepting that many Afghan refugees.
She said it was not rare to come across somebody who was an Afghan national and who worked for the European Union countries but was not allowed to come back.
“Pakistan’s position has always been that, look, we’ve hosted them for so many years. We’ve been very generous. Now we are in a crisis, an economic crisis; We have to send them back,” she said.
The ambassador replied that EU was implementing all the conventions related to migration, human rights and other areas.
“Those people who are eligible for international protection and meet the required standards, of course, receive it. They have these guarantees and are allowed to stay in the country,” he said. “There are references to a few cases where Afghan refugees have committed crimes against members of the EU, and their international protection was subsequently cancelled. Some non-governmental organisations do not like this approach. They argue that if the person concerned committed a crime in that country, they should, of course, be held responsible there. But it is an issue that is up to the member states to decide. So, once again, the European Union implements its obligations. But of course, this is definitely not the case with economic migrants. This is another track of legal migration, involving the attraction of labour and similar matters.”
Regarding Pakistan and Afghan refugees, he said, it was different.
“Afghan refugees have lived in Pakistan for 40 years and have been quite integrated into society,” he said. “I don’t see that they have created an additional burden for Pakistan. On the contrary, they have contributed significantly to GDP.
But yes, the position has changed. Once again, we care about international conventions. First of all, those people who are eligible for international protection, for whom it is dangerous to return to Afghanistan, and vulnerable groups.
Our expectation is that special care should be given to these categories of people. Deportation should not take place in such cases.
“For other Afghans, their movement should, of course, be organised, carried out with dignity, and with guarantees concerning their property and other rights.”
Although Pakistan has not ratified all refugee-related conventions, the ambassador said the principle of non-refoulement remained a commitment binding on Pakistan.
Mediation role will not influence GSP+ decision
Asked whether Pakistan’s role in mediating between the United States and Iran, as well as its diplomatic engagement over Gaza, could give Islamabad some leeway on human rights issues, the ambassador praised Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts but ruled out political concessions in the GSP+ process.
“We very much appreciate the leadership of Pakistan in this mediation,” he said, adding that the country’s positive role regarding Gaza was also appreciated.
However, he stressed that GSP+ was structured around objective criteria.
The ambassador said the scheme could only be granted in the absence of a serious failure to implement the relevant conventions, with the process based primarily on assessments by UN monitoring bodies and experts.
Only after a positive expert assessment would the process move to EU member states, politicians and the European Parliament, he said.
“Political influence to affect the process positively or to provide a push is very limited,” he said.
He added that the European Parliament and member states could instead question whether expert conclusions were objective and whether Pakistan had demonstrated a sufficient level of implementation.
Ultimately, he said, Pakistan’s government needed to demonstrate the political will to improve implementation of the UN conventions, particularly in the areas where the most serious concerns had been identified.
When Jahangir asked why Brussels is so concerned about how Pakistan treats its most vulnerable citizens, Raimundas Karoblis replied saying “We are not talking about European-level standards, but about the United Nations conventions on human rights.”
He said Pakistan has a good record in working on human rights conventions. Also human rights are one of the basics for the development of society.
“The economy and society cannot be prosperous if people are not free, and human rights are actually one of the essential elements,” he said. “It has also been proven by practice in all European Union countries and in Europe in general. Of course, we are one of the promoters of human rights, but Pakistan is also a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council. The question, of course, is about implementation, and about vulnerable people. Once again, I repeat that society cannot be prosperous if a person is not free and if he or she does not enjoy the basic rights that constitute human rights.”