Islamabad: The newly appointed Interior Minister, Attaullah Tarar, made striking claims on Wednesday, alleging that the incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan’s party is actively seeking the withdrawal of Pakistan’s Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Plus status from the European Union, purportedly aiming to “cripple” the nation’s economy.
The GSP+ status, instituted to promote good governance and sustainable development through trade facilitation, grants Pakistan privileged access to the European market with duty-free or minimal duty rates on exports. Initially granted in 2014, this status has been extended until 2027.
In a press briefing, Tarar disclosed that Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party initiated an online petition to the European Union, advocating for the removal of Pakistan’s GSP+ status, a move he denounced as a hostile act against Pakistan. He characterized this endeavor as a malevolent scheme intended to exacerbate the economic plight of the nation’s underprivileged citizens.
Tarar asserted, “Contacting the European Union and asking them to revoke Pakistan’s GSP+ status is an attack on Pakistan. This is a conspiracy to destroy Pakistan’s economy and to inflict the poor people of Pakistan with more difficulties.”
