ISLAMABAD: A delegation comprising members of the European Parliament separately called on Attorney General for Pakistan Khalid Jawed Khan and Law Minister Barri­ster Dr Farogh Naseem on Thursday to discuss matters of mutual interest.

The attorney general informed the delegation about the steps taken by the federal and provincial governments for enforcement of different international treaties and conventions relating to the welfare of children, labourers and minorities.

Headed by Mr Nicola Procaccini, the EU team consisted of Luis Garicano, Heidi Hautala, Tomas Zdechovsky and EU Ambassador Androulla Kaminara.

The meeting discussed in detail issues relating to the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status accorded to Pakistan by the EU.

The GSP is an entrenched trade and development policy instrument, in place since 1971, and Pakistan has been a major recipient of the GSP Plus scheme for the last seven years. Under this status, there is zero per cent duty on several products, and under the current GSP Plus system, the EU continues to monitor the progress made by beneficiary countries towards implementation of 27 international conventions.

AGP also discusses with visiting delegation issues relating to GSP+ status

The matters relating to overall criminal justice reforms as well as other legislation, including a bill for protection of journalists and an antitorture bill, were also discussed during the meeting.

The AGP also briefed the delegation on different judgements and orders passed by the Supreme Court of Pakistan for protecting the rights and interests of the members of religious minorities and their places of worship.

Later, the delegation members met Law Minister Farogh Naseem who apprised them of the atrocities being committed by the Indian government with the people of occupied Kashmir.

During the meeting, the minister informed the delegation that the anti-rape bill would soon be presented before a joint sitting of the parliament for its approval. The law ensures that no woman is harassed or her character targeted and the government would also bring about a number of reforms in the justice system of Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood hosted a dinner in honour of the members of EU Parliament.

He welcomed the newly proposed legislation for GSP Plus for post-2023 by the European Commission.

He told the audience that Pakistan had already acceded to six new conventions under the proposed new GSP regulation.

He reaffirmed that Pakistan was committed to fully implementing the UN conventions related to GSP Plus, but urged the European partners to be mindful of its challenges.

He appreciated the European member states for their support for Pakistan in securing the GSP Plus status and its continuity in the last three reviews conducted by the European Parliament. He expressed the hope that the forthcoming fourth biennial review would also be successful.

The PM’s adviser said the visit of the delegation of the European Parliament could not be timed better as the fourth biennial review of GSP Plus to Pakistan was in process and would be completed in the coming months.

He noted that the European Union was one of the largest trading and investment partners of Pakistan.

During the fiscal year 2020-21, the total bilateral trade with EU-27 was $10.88 billion.

Mr Dawood reiterated that GSP Plus had a positive synergy with the government’s social agenda. It has helped Pakistan in attainment of a level-playing field in the European market on the one hand and, acted as a catalyst to undertake necessary social reforms, on the other.

The head of the EU delegation in Islamabad, Androulla Kaminara, appreciated the government’s approa­ch and the institutional mechanism put in place by Pakistan for implementation of various commitments under GSP Plus.

Published in Dawn, November 5th, 2021