The prime minister said he will negotiate with European Union over the GSP Plus status issue
Prime Minister Imran Khan urged Organization for Islamic Conference (OIC) to work on counter the anti-Islam rhetoric around the world while talking to ambassadors from 30 OIC countries. He said that acts by individuals cannot be associated with 1.5 billion people. He expressed these views while meeting a number of OIC ambassadors. He also said that the Muslim countries have failed to convince the west that how blasphemy hurts the sentiments of over 1.5 billion Muslims.
“An act of any individual should not be called an act of the entire Ummah,” Imran said. “The whole Muslim Ummah should not be blamed for an act of an individual. Linking Islam with terrorism is absolutely unjustified,” Khan said.
Discussion on GSP+ status
The European Union may temporarily suspend Pakistan’s GSP Plus status due to the alleged misuse of blasphemy laws. As per media reports, the EU parliament “calls on the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) to immediately review Pakistan’s eligibility for GSP+ status in the light of current events and whether there is sufficient reason to initiate a procedure for the temporary withdrawal of this status and the benefits that come with it, and to report to the European Parliament on this matter as soon as possible”. Apparently, the EU also has concerns about the anti-France sentiments in Pakistan.
Imran felt strongly about the resolution brought in the European Parliament regarding the review of Pakistan’s GSP Plus status due to countries blasphemy laws. He said that he will negotiate with the EU on the matter of linking GSP Plus status with blasphemy issues. The status was achieved in 2014 and is currently valid until 2022. Textile and garments have been able to utilize the status over the years with their exports to Europe increased significantly.