The Commission’s extension of the GSP+ status of Pakistan
12.11.2021
Question for written answer E-005099/2021
to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Rule 138
Charlie Weimers (ECR)
On 29 April 2021 the European Parliament called on the Commission and the European External Action Service to immediately review Pakistan’s eligibility for GSP+ status in the light of recent human rights abuses. On 22 September 2021 the Commision found no grounds to exclude the country, extending GSP+ status until 2024[1]. It has been reported that the Commission is deliberately dragging out the review process in order to ensure that Pakistan benefits from GSP+ until 2024[2]. On 27 September, President Khan assured clerics that his government would not enact laws that are ‘in direct conflict with the teachings of Islam’[3], such as those addressing domestic violence and forced conversions.
The Commission’s decision came three weeks after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. Pakistan is known to be a major financial backer of the Taliban and since the group’s inception the Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency has supported it with money, training and weaponry[4].
- 1.Is the Vice-President / High Representative aware of President Khan’s assurances to clerics in Pakistan, of the grave human rights situation in Pakistan, notably for Christians, and of the country’s considerable support for the Taliban?
- 2.If so, how can the EU find no grounds to exclude Pakistan from GSP+ status while simultaneously seeking to better enforce human rights provisions of international agreements and seeking the security, stability and prosperity of Afghanistan?
- [1] ‘GSP+ status for Pakistan extended’, The Express Tribune, 23 September 2021, https://tribune.com.pk/story/2321501/gsp-status-for-pakistan-extended
- [2] ‘Pakistan’s GSP Plus status to continue; six new conventions introduced’, Geo News, 22 September 2021, https://www.geo.tv/latest/371925-pakistans-gsp-plus-status-to-continue-six-new-conventions-introduced
- [3] ‘Pakistan PM Khan’s conversion comments cause outrage’, UCA News, 1 October 2021, https://www.ucanews.com/news/pakistan-pm-khans-conversion-comments-cause-outrage/94353#
- [4] Council on Foreign Relations, ‘Pakistan’s Support for the Taliban: What to Know’, 25 August 2021, https://www.cfr.org/article/pakistans-support-taliban-what-know