EU links GSP to rights progress

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s access to GSP is neither guaranteed nor automatic, said European Union Ambassador Raimundas Karoblis, adding that the country needs to do more on blasphemy, enforced disappearances and minority rights.

“The most important issue for us is blasphemy cases and enforced disappearances. We also expect to see a revision of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA),” said Raimundas Karoblis, expressing concerns with the present implementation of the law, besides some other issues where the situation could be better. “But these four issues we expect more progress,” said the EU ambassador at an engagement with media persons, ahead of the upcoming High-Level EU-Pakistan Business Forum, starting April 28-29. The event was an opportunity for open exchange on the forum and the broader outlook for EU-Pakistan economic relations.

He said that PECA should not be used as a political tool, adding, “We are not interfering in Pakistan’s internal affairs. We are not imposing new standards. We are sticking only to the conventions of the United Nations, and Pakistan is a signatory to those conventions.”

Nonetheless, Raimundas Karoblis said the forum, bringing together senior policymakers, European and Pakistani business leaders, investors, and EU financial institutions at a pivotal moment for economic cooperation, would unlock investment........

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