‘GSP-Plus extension fruit of PTI govt's policies'

Governor says textile industry will create more jobs

LAHORE: Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar has said that it is due to the right policies of the government led by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) that the country was able to secure an extension in GSP-Plus status for two years.

“This was achieved under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan and with the help of effective lobbying,” he said while speaking to the media on Saturday. He highlighted that he had contacted several members of the European Parliament, including Vice President Fabio Massimo Castaldo, for support.

He thanked members of the European Parliament for their active lobbying for support to Pakistan for a two-year extension in GSP-Plus status despite India’s worst resistance. “The extension in GSP-Plus status will help further increase Pakistan’s exports by 9.5 per cent.”

The governor added, “I had held meetings with more than 30 members of the European Parliament during my visit to Brussels in December last year and on my request, the European Parliament’s vice president has also paid his first visit to Pakistan.”

Since then, the country has managed to secure further extension in GSP status due to the government’s well-conceived strategy, the governor explained. “It is a big gift for strengthening the country’s economy.”

Extension in GSP-Plus status shows the international community’s confidence in Pakistan’s successful economic policies, peace and stability under the leadership of the prime minister, the governor further said. “Pakistan had increased its exports by 65% and got benefits worth $15 billion through an earlier extension in the GSP-Plus status. Another benefit of $15 billion to $20 billion is expected from the current extension that will prove to be momentous to further strengthen Pakistan economically.”

The textile industry will create more job opportunities due to extension in GSP-Plus status, the governor highlighted.

Responding to a question, he stated, “Many of the European Parliament members have told me that India has been lobbying against Pakistan and on the matter of GSP-Plus, India has resisted it fully but failed in its mission.”

Pakistan’s efforts for environmental change; the tree tsunami project; controlling narcotics smuggling; merger of FATA into K-P; Ehsaas Programme; Kartarpur Corridor Project and legislation and measures to protect the rights of women, children and transgender people have widely been appreciated in the European Parliament, the governor remarked. “The international community, including European Parliament, is praising Pakistan for restoration of peace.” The governor commented that Pakistan’s role is exemplary in the US-Taliban peace deal. “We pray that this peace deal may achieve success as peace in Afghanistan is indispensable for peace in the region.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 8^th, 2020.