Pakistan’s special trade privileges with the European Union under the GSP+ scheme could be at risk. A new white paper by the EU Today Research Desk and the European Facilitation Platform reports serious and ongoing violations of the agreement’s rules.
Since 2014, Pakistan has enjoyed tariff-free access to EU markets by implementing 27 international conventions on human rights, labour standards, environmental protection, and good governance. In 2023, 88% of Pakistani exports to the EU entered duty-free, totaling €6.2 billion, making Pakistan the largest beneficiary.
However, the report highlights major compliance issues. These include misuse of blasphemy laws, enforced disappearances, torture, persecution of religious minorities, child and bonded labour, and suppression of trade unions. Environmental obligations are also ignored, including air and water pollution, deforestation, and weak climate action. Governance concerns include political interference, weakening of judicial independence, and restrictions on democratic participation.
The EU had previously extended Pakistan’s GSP+ access until 2027 despite these concerns. The only enforcement action so far came in June 2025, when ethanol imports from Pakistan lost preferential treatment.
The white paper urges the European Commission to suspend Pakistan’s GSP+ benefits to maintain the scheme’s credibility and push for meaningful reforms.
