ISLAMABAD: European Union Special Representative for Human Rights Olof Skoog has urged Pakistan to continue on its reform path as Islamabad prepares to reapply for the GSP Plus status under the upcoming new regulation.

Concluding his week-long visit to Pakistan on Friday, Ambassador Skoog said that the midterm of the current monitoring cycle is approaching and the EU mission aimed to engage Pakistan on the most pressing human rights and labour rights issues. He said that in view of the ongoing assessment under the GSP Plus trade scheme the mission was holding discussions on Pakistan`s plans to addresstheseissues.

In the context of the upcoming GSP Plus monitoring mission, the EU special representative encouraged Pakistani authorities to ensure implementation of all relevant international conventions.

According to a statement issued by the EU mission in Islamabad, `trade benefits under GSP Plus depend on the progress made on addressing a list of issues, including on human rights, and tangible reforms remain essential`.

Mr Skoog reaffirmed the EU`s commitment to supporting Pakistan in meeting its human rights obligations, adding that it encouraged diligent efforts and meaningful consultations with all stakeholders, including civil society.

Pakistan, he said, remains a key partner for the EU in South Asia, and `our relationship is built on sharedvalues of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, guided by the principles of the UN Charter and international norms`.

The EU welcomes the fact that Pakistan has become the largest beneficiary of GSP Plus, with Pakistani businesses increasing their exports to the EU market by 108 per cent since the launch of the trade scheme in 2014.

During his visit, Ambassador Skoog met federal and provincial ministers, the military leadership, senior officials, human rights defenders, lawyers and representatives of the UN bodies, civil society, media and the business sector.

In meetings with Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, Ambassador Skoog highlighted areas of concern such as the application of blasphemy laws, women`s rights, alleged forced marriages and conversions, enforced disappearances, freedoms of expression, religion or belief, independence of the media, impunity for rights violations, due process and the right to fair trial, civic space, and the death penalty.

During his meeting with Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, the focus was on judicial backlog as well as the independence of judiciary.

Throughout his visit, Mr Skoog acknowledged the important role of the National Commission of Human Rights and underlined the need to preserveitsindependence.

In Lahore, he called on Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Minorities Affairs Minister Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora and the representatives of the Christian and Ahmadi communities.

Pakistan was awarded the GSP Plus status for the 2014-23 period, after Islamabad ratified 27 international conventions and committed to implement them. In July 2023, the EU proposed extending the GSP+ status by another four years.