GSP-Plus status extension: EU MPs to support Pakistan

LAHORE:More than 25 members of European Parliament, including Vice President European Parliament Fabio Massimo and Chairman Foreign Affairs David Macallister EP member from Germany have announced supporting Pakistan on the matter regarding extension in GSP-Plus status.

According to a communiqué issued by Governor House here on Wednesday, they also called upon India to resolve Kashmir issue at the earliest and ensure provision of basic rights to people of occupied Kashmir. On the invitation of Governor Ch Muhammad Sarwar, Member of the European Parliament from UK Ms Neena Gill will also visit Kartarpur, Nankana Sahib and Lahore.

Punjab Governor Ch Muhammad Sarwar along with EU-Pak Friendship Federation (Europe) President Chaudhry Pervez Iqbal held detailed meetings with Member European Parliament from Bulgaria Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Member of the European Parliament from England Ms Gina Dowding, Member of the European Parliament from UK Ms Anthea McIntyre, Member of the European Parliament from UK Mr Claude Moraes, Member of the European Parliament from Greece Ms Eva Kailli, Member of the European Parliament from Germany Ms Petra Kammerevert, Member of the European Parliament from Germany David Macallister, Member of the European Parliament from Estonia Urmas Paet, former member of European Parliament Wajid Khan and other members of the European Parliament at Brussels.

During these meetings, matters pertaining to extension in GSP-Plus status for Pakistan, Pak-Europe Trade, Kashmir issue and promotion of tourism were discussed at length. The European Parliamentarians including Vice President European Parliament Mr Fabio Massimo acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts and sacrifices for establishment of peace and elimination of terrorism, and also announced their full support to Pakistan for extension in the GSP-Plus status by European Union.

About his visit to Europe, Punjab Ch Sarwar said Al-Hamdulliah entire world community is supporting Pakistan’s stance despite all negative propaganda by India against Pakistan and all the members of European Parliament have reposed confidence in the economic policies of Pakistan and they all also stood with Pakistan. Regarding Kashmir issue, the European Parliamentarians were of the view that Kashmiris must be given their rights and settlement of Kashmir issue is inevitable for regional peace.

“I am also glad to note that Europe has well appreciated the initiative of Kartarpur Corridor project. And on my invitation, Member of the European Parliament from UK Ms Neena Gill will visit Kartarpur, Nankana Sahib and Lahore’ said Sarwar.

“I also apprised the European Parliament that Pakistan has ensured fully implementation on human rights, environmental standards, social compliance, and United Nations convention,” he added.

Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar said that two-way trade between Pakistan and Europe has increased equally and Pakistan has imported machinery from Europe by taking benefit of bilateral trade, while GSP-Plus has also benefited Europe. He said that he had a very successful visit to Europe and ‘now I will hold meetings and talk to members of UK parliament and others in which Kashmir issue will be discussed specifically because it has been 122 days of curfew in occupied Kashmir, which has become a jail for Kashmiris and it is the biggest terrorism and injustice.