European Parliament's Vice-President Fabio Massimo Castaldo, who is currently visiting Pakistan, has assured full support in the matter of extension in GSP-Plus status to Islamabad.

"I assure the people of Pakistan that I will be standing with them on the matter of extension in GSP-Plus status and interests of Pakistan and I believe that extension will be granted for GSP-Plus status to Pakistan," he said while addressing a news conference, after a meeting with Governor Punjab Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar, here at Governor's House on Friday.

Fabio Massimo, who is also Vice President of Human Rights Committee of European Parliament, said: "Pakistan has sacrificed 70,000 lives in the war against terrorism and establishment of peace, for which I pay glowing tribute to Pakistan Army, people and government of Pakistan."

He said that India is committing sheer violation of human rights in Occupied Kashmir where women, children and youth are treated inhumanely, which cannot be ignored at any cost. "Pakistan is sticking to its stance of resolving Kashmir issue and restoration of peace through dialogue and I think it is the right way," he said, adding: "India should not unleash such atrocities as people living in occupied Kashmir has the right to live a free life but unfortunately, they have been faced with tyrannies for decades and upon this, I will raise an effective voice in the European Parliament."

Fabio Massimo maintained that new Citizenship Act in India is also against the human rights and I hope that India will review this bill as all the citizens have equal basic human rights. "Germany and France had fought for centuries but today they are best friends, and I think, India should also resolve the issues through dialogue with Pakistan," he said.

To a question, Fabio said that efforts made by Governor Punjab Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar for extension in GSP-Plus status were definitely a matter of pride for Pakistanis, asserting that he (Governor) had also been talking of the interests of Pakistan only during his visit to Europe.

Member European Parliament Wajid Khan said that Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar had very actively pleaded for Pakistanis' case for getting GSP-Plus status in 2013 and till today, he has been working wholeheartedly for Pakistan.

Pak-Europe Friendship Federation Chairman Chaudhry Pervez Iqbal said, "India was propagating negatively against Pakistan in Europe, and when we will work together then India will fail in its mission and Pakistan will succeed."

Governor Chaudhry Sarwar said on the occasion that his meeting with European Parliament's Vice President was very successful, adding, "Insha Allah, European Parliament will soon invite Prime Minister Imran Khan to address the European Parliament.

It is also a matter of great happiness for me that European Parliament's Vice President is also acknowledging the anti-terrorism war, establishment of peace and Kashmiris' stance which is a bigger success of Pakistan on diplomatic front."

To a question, Governor Sarwar expressed optimism that issue of extension in GSP-Plus status for Pakistan will be resolved. Earlier, Fabio Massimo along with European Parliament member Wajid Khan and Pak-Europe Friendship Federation Chairman Chaudhry Pervez Iqbal held a meeting with the Governor Punjab in which regional situation, Kashmir issue; India's war hysteria, extension in GSP-Plus status for Pakistan and other matters of mutual interest were discussed.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019