A high-level delegation of the European Parliament’s Committee on Development, led by Mr. Lukas Mandl (Austria), and comprising Mr. Robert Biedro? (Poland), Mr. Juan Fernando López Aguilar (Spain), Mr. Tomáš Zdechovský (Czechia), and Mr. Marc Jongen (Germany), along with advisors Mr. Christian Meseth, Ms. Janetta Cujkova, and Ms. Teresa Paula de Figueiredo Mergulhão, visited the Ministry of Commerce, Islamabad, for a comprehensive discussion with Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan. EU Ambassador to Pakistan H.E. Raimundas Karoblis also accompanied the delegation.
The meeting underscored Pakistan’s continued commitment to strengthening EU–Pakistan relations, particularly under the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) framework, which has played a crucial role in promoting sustainable trade, development cooperation, and human rights in Pakistan.
Welcoming the delegation, Minister Jam Kamal Khan extended gratitude to the visiting parliamentarians for their engagement and longstanding partnership. He reaffirmed that Pakistan deeply values its cooperation with the European Union in promoting inclusive economic growth, good governance, and sustainable development. He briefed the delegation on Pakistan’s recent achievements under the GSP+ monitoring framework, highlighting significant progress on human rights, labor reforms, climate action, and institutional strengthening.
The Minister shared that Pakistan has been elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2026–2028 term, reflecting global confidence in its constructive role in advancing dialogue and multilateral human rights cooperation. The Minister also noted that the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) has been granted “A status” accreditation by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI)—a major recognition of Pakistan’s institutional progress.
He further informed that Pakistan has harmonized the legal age of marriage and passed landmark laws such as the Islamabad Child Marriage Restraint Act 2025. Other important legislative initiatives include the establishment of the Commission for the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals, the forthcoming National Commission for Minorities, and the Policy on Interfaith Harmony—reflecting the government’s dedication to freedom, tolerance, and social cohesion.
Addressing economic and trade matters, Minister Jam Kamal Khan emphasized Pakistan’s efforts to create a conducive environment for foreign investment. He discussed the government’s measures to address challenges related to high taxation, energy costs, and interest rates—acknowledging that the interest rate has already been reduced from 22% to 11%.
He reaffirmed that Pakistan’s economic future lies in industrial expansion, skill development, and human resource empowerment, noting that over 60% of Pakistan’s 250 million population is below the age of 30—making skill training and vocational education a key national priority.
The Minister also highlighted promising areas for EU investment, particularly in agriculture, food processing, seed development, value-added exports, manufacturing, SMEs, and e-commerce. He invited European companies to partner with Pakistan in technology transfer, sustainable farming, and food-chain innovation.
Commerce Minister also raised two key trade concerns with the Parliament delegation:
I. The withdrawal of duty concessions on Pakistan’s ethanol exports under the GSP+ scheme, which has adversely affected rural livelihoods and farming communities.
II. The issue of Geographical Indication (GI) registration of Basmati rice, urging the European Union to ensure a fair and impartial decision that recognizes Pakistan’s heritage and rightful claim to the globally renowned rice variety.
He underscored that both issues are critical for Pakistan’s rural economy and the livelihoods of millions of farmers, especially in the wake of recent floods that impacted the agricultural sector.
Minister Jam Kamal Khan appreciated the EU’s continued technical engagement and sought enhanced cooperation on emerging EU regulatory compliance frameworks such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), and the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
He emphasized that Pakistan looks forward to EU technical support and capacity building to strengthen its ability to meet new sustainability and climate standards.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Commerce and the Intellectual Property Organization (IPO) informed the delegation that Pakistan had joined the Madrid Protocol on Trademarks and the Marrakech Treaty for the Visually Impaired, with further reforms in progress on patents and copyrights. The delegation was briefed that strong IP laws are a government priority for improving investor confidence and competitiveness.
Members of the European Parliament, including Mr. Lukas Mandl and Mr. Marc Jongen, appreciated Pakistan’s constructive engagement, openness in discussion, and the government’s focus on reforms and human capital development. They acknowledged Pakistan’s potential and reiterated that dialogue, transparency, and partnership would continue to guide the EU–Pakistan relationship.
The delegation also discussed issues of global concern, including peace, education, and economic cooperation. Mr. Mandl expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s hospitality and shared observations on the importance of strengthening democratic and human rights cooperation globally.
In conclusion, Minister Jam Kamal Khan reiterated that Pakistan fully owns and advances global agendas on human rights, labor rights, and climate action, aligning with the objectives of the GSP+ framework. He emphasized that Pakistan seeks mutual growth, sustainable partnerships, and shared prosperity with the European Union.
The meeting concluded with expressions of appreciation from both sides and a reaffirmation to further strengthen EU–Pakistan bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, and sustainable development.
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