Former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has cautioned that Pakistan could face the possibility of losing its European Union GSP+ trade status if meaningful progress is not made in the areas of human rights, labour rights and governance reforms. In a statement issued through his lawyer from Kot Lakhpat Jail, the PTI leader said the European Union remains one of Pakistan’s most significant trading partners.
He noted that Pakistan exported goods worth €8.7 billion to European countries in 2025, with €7 billion of those exports benefiting from the GSP+ preferential trade scheme. Qureshi said the European Union is urging Pakistan to implement reforms related to human rights, labour protections and governance standards. He pointed out that the current GSP+ framework is due to expire in 2027 and that retaining the facility under the next arrangement will require compliance with stricter conditions.
The former foreign minister said securing GSP+ status was a major achievement that required extensive diplomatic engagement. According to him, efforts were made to gain support among European countries, including contacts with former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He also credited former Punjab governor Chaudhry Sarwar and Pakistan’s textile exporters for playing an important role in obtaining the trade concession.
Qureshi stressed that concerns raised by the European Union regarding freedom of expression should not be ignored. He said European circles have also expressed reservations about Pakistan’s PECA law, which some journalist organisations have described as a “black law.” He further stated that issues related to judicial independence, allegations of enforced disappearances and governance challenges have also attracted the attention of the European Union.
The former minister urged the government to address these concerns without delay, warning that failure to do so could put Pakistan’s GSP+ trade benefits at risk.
