EU wants more
The EU has reiterated that Pakistan’s GSP+ trade status hinges on Islamabad implementing several international human rights agreements, including the implementation of laws relating to torture, sexual violence, and women and children’s rights. An EU delegation, during a recent visit here, also made clear that “abuse” of blasphemy laws was also a concern for Brussels. That we have gotten to this worrying stage is a reminder of how short-sighted governance can have a destructive impact on the country.
GSP+ is a special incentive arrangement meant to encourage sustainable development and good governance. Countries with GSP+ status gain several trade benefits with the EU, including zero tariffs on several items, in return for implementing 27 international conventions related to human rights, labour rights, protecting the environment, and good governance. While the government and its allies may claim they are doing wonders in all of these fields, the EU clearly doesn’t agree.
And as Pakistan’s biggest export destination, the EU is in a position to pull the rug out from under the government which has prided itself on increasing exports. There was already concern in some quarters over Pakistan’s ability to maintain GSP+ status after 2023, when the current approval ends. Now, it seems very possible that the EU will withdraw GSP+ status even sooner. Apart from the economic ramifications, an early withdrawal would also be a political disaster for the government, as it could not pass the buck onto a possible successor. Indeed, while European diplomats have long been pushing Pakistan to introduce and implement laws and agreements related to GSP+, threats of withdrawing preferential trade status had, until recently, only been made behind closed doors.
This is clearly the price of dillydallying on issues such as the TLP. The EU delegation even noted that the government needs to resolve tense situations without “subordinating itself to excessive demands by the radical groups”. The government’s response, if any, is almost certain to be the same old spiel about other countries interfering in Pakistan’s business. Unfortunately, unless we intend to stop asking world powers for special treatment, we are in no position to question them when they demand that we live up to our end of the bargain.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 21st, 2021.
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