Terming extension in the Generalized System of Preferences-Plus (GSP-Plus) status for Pakistan for further two years, Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar Saturday said that this extension is the world community's confidence in successful economic policies, peace and stability in Pakistan.
"Pakistan had increased its exports by 65 per cent and got benefits worth US $15 billion through an earlier extension in the GSP-Plus status and another benefit of 15 to 20 billion dollars is expected from the current extension that will prove to be momentous to further strengthen Pakistan economically and textile industry will create more job opportunities due to extension in GSP-Plus status," the Governor said while talking to a select group of media persons here at Governor's House on Saturday.
While the GSP-Plus facility has been available to Pakistan since January 2014, its continuation for further two years is an award for Islamabad's progress in enacting new laws and developing new institutions for implantation of 27 core conventions of GSP-Plus, especially the National Action Plan (NAP) for human rights.
The Governor also contacted more 10 members of European Parliament including Vice President of European Parliament Fabio Massimo Castaldo and thanked them for their active lobbying for support to Pakistan on two years extension in GSP-Plus status despite India's worst resistance. "Extension in GSP-Plus status will help further increase Pakistan's exports by 9.5 per cent," he said, adding: "I had held meeting with more than 30 members of European Parliament during my visit to Brussels in December last. On my request, European Parliament's Vice President Fabio Massimo Castaldo has also paid his first visit to Pakistan. After that, today Pakistan has managed to secure further extension in GSP-Status due to our well-conceived strategy. I have talked to European Parliament vice-president and other members and it is a big gift for strengthening Pakistan's economy."
Responding to a question, the Governor said, "Many of the European Parliament members have told me that India has been lobbying against Pakistan and on the matter of GSP-Plus, it has resisted it fully but failed in its mission." He said Pakistan's efforts for environmental change, tree tsunami project, controlling narcotics smuggling, merger of FATA into KPK, Ehsaas Programme, Kartarpur Corridor Project and legislation and measures to protect rights of women, children and transgender have widely been appreciated in the European Parliament.
Terming Pakistan's role exemplary in the Taliban-America Peace Deal, he said, "We pray that this peace deal may achieve success as peace in Afghanistan is indispensable for peace in the region." After extension in GSP-Plus status, the European Parliament will also pass a resolution against controversial Indian citizenship law and Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir, he said.
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