NA panel chairman warns Pakistan's EU trade concessions could be at risk over human rights concerns

Pakistan’s preferential access to the European Union could come under pressure over human rights concerns, National Assembly committee chairman Syed Naveed Qamar warned on Tuesday, Profit by Pakistan Today reported. Finance Minister of State Bilal Kayani told the committee there was no immediate danger to the existing arrangement, which is due to continue through December 2028 under transition provisions.

Pakistan recorded €7.5 billion in exports eligible for the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus in 2024, making it the scheme’s largest beneficiary that year. The trade benefits are conditional on meeting 27 international conventions, including commitments on human rights, labour, the environment and governance.

An EU monitoring report covering 2023-2025 raised concerns about enforced disappearances, limits on expression and weaknesses in the judicial system. Pakistan must apply again to retain preferential access from January 2029, while the government is preparing its application; the committee also discussed the effects of border closures on trade with Central Asia.