Baloch National Movement representatives have urged European lawmakers to revoke Pakistan’s GSP+ trade status ahead of an EU review in January 2027….reports Asian Lite News Desk
Baloch activists have urged European lawmakers to support the revocation of Pakistan’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) trade status during meetings in The Hague, as the European Union prepares to review the country’s eligibility in January 2027.
A delegation from the Baloch National Movement (BNM) met members of the European Parliament (MEPs) on October 23 during the launch of the Union of European Federalists (UEF) Netherlands at Europa Experience in The Hague. The event was held under the theme ‘Global Challenges We’re Facing Together’.
The delegation met MEPs Anna Strolenberg and Raquel Garcia Hermida-van der Walle, as well as Esther Lainez, president of the Young European Federalists (JEF) Netherlands.
According to the BNM, the discussions focused on the human rights situation in Balochistan, the Baloch movement’s demands for freedom and self-determination, and allegations that Pakistan has failed to meet its international human rights commitments.
The delegation called on European representatives to support withdrawing Pakistan’s preferential trade benefits under the GSP+ scheme, arguing that continued access to the arrangement should be linked to compliance with human rights obligations.
“The central focus of the meetings was Pakistan’s GSP+ status. The delegation called on European representatives to support the revocation of Pakistan’s preferential trade privileges, arguing that a country involved in widespread enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, collective punishment and other serious human rights violations should not continue receiving trade benefits without proper accountability,” the BNM stated.
The group also handed over a dossier documenting alleged human rights abuses in Balochistan and outlining what it described as Pakistan’s non-compliance with international conventions associated with the EU’s GSP+ scheme.
The EU’s forthcoming review of Pakistan’s status is expected to be a key focus of the group’s diplomatic efforts over the coming months. The BNM said it hoped European institutions would examine its submissions and evidence when assessing Pakistan’s compliance with the conditions attached to the trade arrangement.
The GSP+ scheme provides eligible developing countries with preferential access to the EU market, subject to their implementation of international conventions covering areas including human rights, labour rights, environmental protection and good governance.
The BNM argued that the EU should ensure its trade policy reflects its stated commitment to human rights and that preferential trade arrangements should not shield countries from scrutiny over alleged abuses.
The organisation said it would continue engaging with European institutions and policymakers to press for the withdrawal of Pakistan’s GSP+ status and keep the situation in Balochistan on the agenda of discussions concerning trade and accountability.
Pakistan’s GSP+ status remains subject to the EU’s assessment of its compliance with the scheme’s requirements. The BNM’s calls form part of its campaign to persuade European policymakers to make human rights concerns a central consideration in the review.
