Punjab governor optimistic about extension in GSP Plus status

Terming his recent visit to the Europe as 'highly positive and timely', Governor Punjab Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar has expressed optimism that Pakistan will get extension which would be a great success of Pakistan on economic front and also good news for the business community as well.

"Insha Allah, the issue of extension in GSP Plus status will be resolved, as I have held meetings with Vice President of European Parliament, Chairperson Human Rights Committee, 36 members of European Parliament and others during my two days visit to the Europe," the Governor said in an exclusive talk here at Governor House.

The Governor Sarwar maintained that Pakistan has earlier managed to reap the benefit of over US $15 billion through GSP-Plus status and its extension would be a great success. "India is hatching conspiracies against extension in GSP-Plus status for Pakistan, but I am sure that the matter of GSP-Plus status extension will be resolved.

The Governor said that he met with European Parliament's Vice President Fabio Massimo, Chairman of European Parliament's Committee for Foreign Affairs David Macallister, Chairperson of European Parliament's Committee for Human Right and over three dozens of members of European Parliament and most of the members of European Parliament apprised him that India was hatching conspiracies against Pakistan by making terrorism and other factors as points of contention. But I have briefed them in detail about the sacrifices of Pakistan against terrorism and steps taken under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan for protection of human rights, and after that all of them assured him of extending support to Pakistan.

The governor said that during his meetings with European parliamentarians, he had apprised them of India's war hysteria in the region, more than 100 days of curfew in occupied Kashmir, genocide of Kashmiris and its other crimes. "I am pleased that members of European Parliament have expressed serious concerns over Kashmir issue and they all are in favour of provision of human rights in occupied Kashmir as well as allowing the Kashmiris of their right to self-determination," he said, adding: "Kartarpur Corridor Project for the Sikh community and other steps taken by Pakistan were widely appreciated by members of European Parliament and I have told them that under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan, Pakistan was ensuring provision of rights to minorities as per vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and minority communities are enjoying complete protection in Pakistan."

Responding to a question, Sarwar said, "Though Pakistan faced with challenges with regard to economy, Pakistan's current economic team under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan took historic measures and now Pakistan is getting stronger economically with every passing day, and for the first time, country's current account deficit decreased as it will reduce to 1.5 billion dollars from 18 billion dollars in next few months that will again be a major economic success of Pakistan."