The European Union’s GSP status for Pakistan functions as a vital economic relationship between both parties because it supports the country’s textile industry and other sectors and creates new job opportunities. Pakistan has used the 2014 preferential trade agreement to obtain trade benefits while using it as a basis for its international trade relationships and organizational development. The political struggles which currently affect Pakistan’s GSP status discussions have made it difficult to assess the country’s human rights record because political groups use human rights accounts as weapons for their conflicts.

The main purpose of GSP exists to provide assistance to struggling developing countries through its duty-free access system which permits them to export most of their goods without EU tariffs. The countries that benefit from this program must fulfill their obligations by adopting 27 international treaties which cover human rights standards, labor protection measures, environmental protection rules, and governance requirements. Pakistan has fulfilled its international obligations through complete compliance with all requirements which exceed mere treaty obligations. The country has ratified all necessary conventions while it has integrated multiple convention principles into both its domestic laws and its institutional framework.

The legal reforms which have occurred during the last ten years demonstrate the commitment of this organization. The government has established laws for domestic violence cases, journalist protection, anti-rape procedures and transgender rights which demonstrates its commitment to meet international standards. The government has established two organizations through its National Commission for Human Rights and Legal Aid and Justice Authority, which create a new system of governance to strengthen judicial integrity while enhancing public access to legal support. The organization undertakes multiple projects which serve as a........

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