EU warns Pakistan it must reform or risk losing GSP+ access

9 min read

The European Commission and EU high representative issued a joint assessment of Pakistan’s GSP+ compliance for 2023–2025, noting legislative reforms but persistent and in some cases worsening human rights and labour issues. Pakistan secured measures such as a national commission for minorities, narrowed capital punishment, anti-torture rules, a domestic violence bill and ILO forced labour protocol ratification, yet the report records increased enforced disappearances, deteriorating freedom of expression and slow declines in child and forced labour. Losing GSP+ would raise EU tariffs on Pakistani textiles and apparel, risking hundreds of millions in added costs and reduced competitiveness.

Pakistan risks losing GSP+ tariff preferences without measurable human rights improvements