The European Union Monitoring Mission has expressed strong appreciation for Sindh province's significant strides in strengthening rights-based governance and implementing crucial institutional reforms during the fifth biennial review of the GSP+ scheme.
High-Level Delegation Meets Provincial Leadership
A seven-member EU delegation, led by Sergio Baliberia from the EU's Directorate General for Trade, conducted high-level meetings with senior provincial officials in Karachi on Tuesday. The delegation included meetings with Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, who welcomed the EU team and reaffirmed the provincial government's commitment to human rights, labor reforms, governance standards, and climate action.
The comprehensive discussions involved key provincial figures including ministers Saeed Ghani and Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar, along with Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah and IG Police Ghulam Nabi Memon. Federal Commerce Secretary Jod Paul also participated in the significant meetings.
Comprehensive Dialogue on Critical Issues
During the extensive review process, the delegation engaged in detailed discussions covering multiple critical areas including human rights protections, minority rights safeguards, labor inspection systems, workplace safety standards, climate change initiatives, and child rights enforcement.
Baliberia confirmed that the EU acknowledged and appreciated Sindh's measurable progress in establishing rights-based governance structures and advancing institutional reforms across multiple sectors. The positive assessment comes at a crucial time for Pakistan's continued participation in the GSP+ scheme.
Strategic Importance of GSP+ Scheme
Chief Minister Murad Shah emphasized the European Union's role as a "long-standing partner" and highlighted the critical importance of the GSP+ arrangement for Pakistan's export sector, sustainable development goals, and social protection frameworks.
The Chief Minister assured complete alignment with federal authorities throughout the ongoing review process and highlighted the instrumental role of the Treaty Implementation Cell in ensuring full compliance with all 27 international conventions linked to the GSP+ requirements.
While expressing commitment to meeting international standards, Shah urged the EU against imposing "overly stringent conditions" in the next GSP+ framework and welcomed capacity-building support from European partners.
Provincial officials provided comprehensive briefings to the EU delegation, detailing substantial progress in labor rights protection, women's empowerment initiatives, and minority protection measures that demonstrate Sindh's commitment to international standards.
