ISLAMABAD: According to The News, the European Union’s embassy in Islamabad denied any “official communication” with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) regarding the revocation of the country’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) designation.
The EU mission’s announcement came after Information Minister Attaullah Tarar accused Imran Khan’s party of contacting the EU to request the withdrawal of Pakistan’s GSP+ designation due to concerns of a lack of facilities for the former premier in Adiala jail.
GSP+ status is a unique trade arrangement granted to developing nations in exchange for their commitment to implementing 27 international human rights, environmental, and governance treaties.
“We have not received any official communication from PTI regarding GSP+,” EU Press and Information Officer in Islamabad.
Meanwhile, the former ruling party denied submitting a letter to the EU, disputing the information minister’s assertions about Pakistan’s GSP+ status.
“During a recent visit, both EU and Commonwealth delegations met with various political parties, including PTI and no other engagement with the EU took place than this,” Raoof Hassan, the spokesperson for the PTI, stated.
The government’s allegation that the PTI approached the EU comes only days after the PTI approached the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Imran Khan, the founder of the PTI, had written to the IMF requesting an audit of the general elections held on February 8, saying that the results had been rigged by the now-ruling government.
