Opinion | Is Pakistan’s GSP+ Status Under Threat? As Europe Raises Concerns Over Human Rights Violations in Pakistan

No trade without accountability this is the principal Europe says it stands by, and one that the world should embrace. A recent development has once again highlighted this commitment, as Europe has raised concerns over Pakistan’s trade benefits and the concessions it enjoys in European markets. The concerns come amid growing scrutiny of Pakistan’s human rights record, with questions being raised over its commitment to protecting fundamental rights and upholding international obligations.

As of today, trade Pakistan and Europe happen under GSP+ framework. The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) is a trade arrangement where developed countries offer developing nations partial or full duty-free access for their exports. GSP+ status is a special “enhanced” tier provided by certain regions (like the European Union) that eliminates customs duties entirely on thousands of products for economically vulnerable countries. But here is catch to receive and maintain this status, countries must ratify and effectively implement 27 core international conventions covering human rights, labour rights, environmental/climate protection, and good governance. Because the EU regulates this system and is in the process of revising its GSP framework countries must constantly prove they are meeting sustainability and governance standards to keep these trade perks.

Pakistan’s GSP+ status was until December 2027, allowing Pakistani goods to enter European markets with lower tariffs or duty-free access. However, over the past few days, the EU has raised concerns over Pakistan’s record of human rights violations, which has directly brought the trade benefits under GSP+ under serious scrutiny. These benefits may even face the possibility of review, suspension, or cancellation if the situation worsens.

As per reports, a motion was tabled in the European Parliament regarding concerns over abductions, forced conversions, and child marriage of 13-year-old Christian girl Maria Shahbaz and protection of minor girls in Pakistan. On July 26, 2025, Shahbaz was allegedly abducted by a 30-year-old man near her home, forcibly converted to Islam, and married to her alleged abductor. Reports claimed that police in Lahore delayed the registration of the family’s First Information Report (FIR), while their abduction complaint faced legal hurdles. On July 31, 2025, the Model Town court of Judicial Magistrate Hassan Sarfaraz Cheema reportedly awarded custody of Shahbaz to the abductor after accepting documents claiming she was 18 years old. In March 2026, the Federal Constitutional Court reportedly upheld the decision without publicly confirming her age, allowing her custody to remain with the abductor, a decision that sparked criticism from rights advocates concerned about the protection of minor girls in Pakistan.

In 2023, a violent mob attacked, vandalised, and set fire to multiple churches and dozens of Christian homes in Faisalabad after allegations of desecration of the Holy Quran by two Christian residents. In 2021, a 49-year-old Sri Lankan Buddhist, Priyantha Kumara, was lynched and burned to death by a violent mob of supporters of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), an extremist populist group in Pakistan.

On May 25, 2024, a violent mob attacked a Christian neighbourhood in Mujahid Colony, Sargodha, Pakistan, over allegations of the desecration of the Quran. The crowd beat a 74-year-old Christian shoe factory owner, Nazir Gill Masih, and his son, subsequently setting their home and factory on fire he later succumbed to his injuries. Jaranwala riots of 2023, Joseph Colony attack of 2013, targeted killings of minorities in Peshawar, the Ghotki attacks of 2019, Nankana sahib attack 2020, Mardan Gurudwara murder 2026 and the Karak temple demolition are just a handful of incidents. These are just handful of incidents the larger tragedy reflects a long-documented pattern of attacks and discrimination against religious and ethnic minorities in Pakistan. The persecution faced by communities such as Ahmadis, Hazaras, and Shia Muslims has been widely reported. UN reports and rights organisations have also highlighted concerns over the abduction, forced conversion, and forced marriages of minority girls, particularly from Sikh, Hindu, and Christian communities, in Pakistan. Critics argue that state institutions have often failed to take effective action to prevent such incidents, raising serious concerns over human rights protections and the fear experienced by minority communities. At independence in 1947, minorities made up roughly 15-23% of Pakistan’s population. Today, that demographic has plummeted to less than 4%.

Having said that, what impact would the revocation of GSP+ status have on Pakistan? The global economy is becoming increasingly competitive and volatile, where alternatives are always available. If one market rejects a country, other countries are ready to step in that market, and that is how the modern economic order works.If Pakistan loses its GSP+ status due to concerns over its human rights record, the immediate impact would likely be felt by ordinary Pakistanis, especially those dependent on export-related industries. A large section of the population already faces economic hardships, and farmers, producers, exporters, and workers could suffer from reduced demand and lower revenues. The loss of preferential access to European markets could lead to higher tariffs on Pakistani products, declining exports, financial losses for businesses, and pressure on families dependent on these industries. It could also affect foreign exchange reserves, increase currency pressure, reduce international competitiveness, and contribute to job losses in export sectors. Such a development would not only carry economic consequences but also diplomatic costs for Pakistan. A decline in exports, reduced investment confidence, and rising unemployment could further deepen economic challenges. With billions of dollars in export revenue and millions of jobs linked to industrial sectors, any disruption to trade preferences could create serious economic pressure for Pakistan. This all could bring catastrophic economic crisis in Pakistan.

With all the records and statistics considered, Pakistan must take meaningful steps to improve its human rights record. However, recent reports of human rights concerns in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), Balochistan, indiscriminate bombing in Afghanistan and surrounding civilian casualties in Afghanistan have raised further questions about Pakistan’s willingness to address such serious issues. These developments could have long-term consequences for its economy, industries, and international standing. Despite repeated concerns raised by international bodies, including the EU and FATF, critics argue that Pakistan has remained unwilling to make sufficient progress on human rights and crushing terror networks. Any pressure on trade benefits and financial support could directly impact the livelihoods of ordinary Pakistanis. The EU’s increasing focus on accountability is being viewed as a significant development, and its long-term impact on Pakistan remains to be seen. Pakistan continues to get loans, including IMF bailouts and freebies but sustained global pressure may push Islamabad to strengthen human rights protections, address internal challenges, and take stronger action against extremist and terror networks, contributing to greater regional stability and beyond.

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