Pakistan's GSP (Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus) status faces a crucial assessment next month during which the country must demonstrate tangible progress on human rights and labour reforms. GSP status is a cornerstone of Pakistan's trade ties with the European Union. Nearly three-fourths of Pakistan's exports channel through this special status to European markets duty free, with Pakistan's textile industry largely dependent it.

The GSP status has played a key role in making EU the single largest export destination for Pakistani goods, mostly including textiles and garments. Pakistan joined this scheme in 2014, and since then its exports have increased, with the country becoming the world's largest beneficiary of the EU's trade arrangement. EU revised the GSP paradigm, with the updated scheme seeking compliance with additional conventions, fulfilling more procedural tasks and submitting detailed action plans. Pakistan got an additional period of two years to accomplish these extra tasks for a continued access to the........

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