ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated on Wednesday that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has asked the European Union to revoke the country’s GSP Plus status.
The GSP+ is a unique incentive system that promotes good governance and sustainable development by enabling trade.
Pakistan was granted the status in 2014, which has since been extended till 2027. The country’s exports to Europe are duty-free or have a minimum tariff.
Speaking to journalists in Islamabad, Tarar stated: “PTI spokespersons are receiving instructions from jail to harm Pakistan, and a conspiracy is being planned to remove the country’s GSP+ status.”
“PTI has used the [lack of] facilities being provided to PTI founder [Imran Khan] in jail as an excuse to attack Pakistan’s GSP+ status,” said the minister of media and culture.
He claimed that the PTI was working against Pakistan by establishing a false narrative, and that the party was attempting to jeopardize the country’s economy through a lie-based campaign.
Tarar alleged Khan was given “luxurious facilities” in jail that no other inmate has.
“The PTI founder has been provided with a kitchen, an additional room, a gallery to walk in and exercise equipment,” he went on to say.
He went on to say that Khan was able to hold hundreds of meetings while imprisoned.
“Every prisoner is only allowed to meet once in jail according to the prison manual,” he told reporters.
He stated that meetings in jail were prohibited due to reports of terrorism near Adiala jail, and that rumors that the PTI founder was denied amenities were false.
Tarar stated that the Punjab government is responsible for conducting a security audit, while jail authorities are responsible for ensuring the safety of all detainees, including the PTI founder.
The minister went on to say that “a few elements were harming the country for their political purposes and they tried to lead the country to default” .
