EU‑Pakistan GSP+ human‑rights dispute

In mid‑July 2026 the EU issued its latest monitoring report on Pakistan’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), noting that the country remains the scheme’s biggest beneficiary – €7.5 billion in eligible exports and about €732 million in tariff savings in 2024, largely from textiles and clothing. The report warned of regressions on human‑rights fronts, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings and recent amendments to anti‑terrorism, cyber‑crime and blasphemy laws that expand preventive detention and curb freedom of expression. A week later, on 23 July 2026, the European Commission reiterated these concerns in a joint staff working document, urging concrete reforms and reminding that failure could lead to loss of GSP+ status, which currently covers roughly 28 % of Pakistan’s exports. On 31 July 2026 the EU issued a formal warning that continued eligibility is now explicitly tied to measurable improvements. Under the new framework effective 1 January 2027, Pakistan must re‑apply, submit a written action plan and obtain EU approval by the end of 2028, with compliance assessed against 27 international conventions on human rights, labour, environment and good governance. The EU stressed that any lack of progress could jeopardise the duty‑free market access that underpins key sectors such as apparel, home‑textiles and surgical instruments.