High Representative/Vice-President Kallas, on behalf of the European Commission, has signalled that Pakistan's continued access to the EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) trade preferences will be assessed in light of human rights concerns, including the arbitrary detention of activist Idris Khattak. The answer, given on 22 July 2026, stops short of announcing a formal investigation but points to an upcoming monitoring report that will inform the EU's decision on Pakistan's future GSP+ status, potentially affecting Pakistani exporters and the broader bilateral trade relationship.
The response comes in answer to a parliamentary question from Barbara Bonte (PfE), who asked whether the Commission was aware of Khattak's case, whether his detention breached GSP+ conditions, and whether the EU would initiate a suspension procedure. Kallas confirmed that the EU delegation to Pakistan has closely monitored the case and raised it during the eighth Strategic Dialogue with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. The EU has also taken note of concerns from UN Special Rapporteurs and the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which concluded that Khattak's detention is contrary to international law.
While the answer contains no concrete proposals for immediate suspension, it outlines a clear timeline: a GSP+ monitoring mission visited Pakistan in late 2025, and a GSP monitoring report will be issued to the European Parliament and the Council by summer 2026. This report will incorporate findings from UN bodies, civil society, and organisations such as Amnesty International, and will inform the EU's decision on Pakistan's GSP+ status, including in the context of Pakistan's possible reapplication under the new GSP Regulation. The answer thus maintains a diplomatic tone but signals that continued compliance with human rights conventions is a condition for trade benefits.
The EU is balancing trade incentives with human rights conditionality, keeping the threat of suspension as a long-term lever rather than an immediate sanction. Institutional follow-up: The summer 2026 monitoring report will be the key document; the European Parliament and Council will then deliberate on Pakistan's status. Stakeholders impacted include Pakistani exporters (potential loss of preferential access), EU importers (higher costs if GSP+ withdrawn), human rights defenders (signal on EU enforcement), and EU institutions (credibility of GSP+ conditionality).