Business

No ‘official communication’ with PTI over Pakistan’s GSP+ status: EU official

Published by
Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD: About the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) preferential trade scheme, the European Union embassy in Islamabad made it clear that it had not received any “official communication” from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar made accusations that the PTI had approached the EU and started online petitions requesting that European authorities cancel Pakistan’s GSP+ status. This declaration follows those allegations.

Read More: IMF delegate to reach Pakistan today for monetary talks

Pakistan and other developing economies are granted the GSP+ status, a special trade agreement, in return for their commitment to implementing 27 international treaties on governance, environmental protection, and human rights.

The European Parliament (MEPs) decided in October to prolong the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) for developing nations for an additional four years, despite the fact that the present GSP framework expired in December 2023.

In Islamabad, EU Press and Information Officer Samar Saeed Akhtar declared, “We have not received any official communication regarding GSP+ from PTI.” In contradiction to the information minister’s assertions, the PTI also denied ever writing to the EU about Pakistan’s GSP+ status.

“During a recent visit, both EU and Commonwealth delegations met with various political parties, including PTI,” explained PTI spokesperson Raoof Hassan. “After this, there was no further engagement with the EU.”

Read More: Finance Minister Aurangzeb discusses interest rates, inflation, IMF plan

In a related event, the PTI requested in a letter sent to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) last month that an audit be conducted of the contentious elections held on February 8 be conducted before holding any more loan negotiations with Islamabad. Khan’s opponents denounced this measure as an attack on Pakistan’s attempts to attain economic stability.

Staff Reporter

Recent Posts

PTA warns users against sharing unlawful online content

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued a warning for mobile phone users against…

7 hours ago

Iranian President lauds Pakistan’s peace efforts during key meetings

ISLAMABAD: Iranian President Dr. Masoud Peshkeskian met President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz…

8 hours ago

Govt approves reduced property tax rates, new income tax slabs for salaried class

ISLAMABAD: The government has approved a reduction in advance tax rates on property buyers and…

9 hours ago

CDF Asim Munir meets Iranian President, discusses regional situation following US-Iran talks

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, met with Iranian President Masoud…

10 hours ago

Solar panels, batteries rates drop amid reduction in petrol price

LAHORE: Following the reduction of petroleum prices, solar panels and batteries witnessed a sharp fall…

10 hours ago

SBP announces two bank holidays

ISLAMABAD: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has declared a two-day public holiday for Ashura (9th &…

11 hours ago