• At a press conference held in Islamabad, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar launched scathing criticism against the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), alleging that the party had been engaging in actions detrimental to Pakistan’s interests by seeking intervention from international bodies such as the European Union (EU) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
• Tarar emphasized his concerns regarding what he deemed as PTI’s deliberate attempts to undermine Pakistan’s sovereignty and economy. He specifically pointed fingers at PTI spokespersons, insinuating that they were operating under instructions from jail, presumably referring to key figures within the party who might be incarcerated.
• Taking a firm stance, Tarar asserted that no entity, regardless of its political affiliation, would be permitted to compromise Pakistan’s economic stability or national interests.
• In response to Tarar’s accusations, a spokesperson for PTI vehemently denied the allegations, labeling them as baseless and devoid of truth. The PTI representative dismissed Tarar’s claims as a fabrication aimed at tarnishing the party’s reputation.
• The Information Minister vehemently refuted any claims suggesting that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) had corresponded with the European Union (EU), affirming that no such letter had been penned nor was there any intention to do so.
• Levelling scathing criticism against PTI’s leadership, the minister accused them of engaging in conspiracies aimed at destabilizing Pakistan’s economy. He drew parallels with past instances where PTI allegedly attempted to thwart economic agreements, citing a letter purportedly sent to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during a previous tenure, urging the IMF not to engage in a loan agreement with the Pakistani government.
• Highlighting the alleged actions of PTI’s founder, the minister insinuated that previous attempts were made to push the country into default. However, he claimed these efforts were thwarted when Pakistan ultimately entered into an agreement with the IMF.
• The minister alleged that PTI leadership had once again endeavored to disrupt the IMF agreement through another letter, questioning the authority under which such correspondences were made.
• Emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding Pakistan’s interests, the minister underscored ongoing efforts aimed at economic revival. He criticized PTI for prioritizing its own agenda over national interests and integrity.
• Regarding the significance of Pakistan’s Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Plus status, the minister outlined its benefits, including increased foreign exchange, enhanced exports, currency stabilization, inflation mitigation, and job creation.
• Responding to inquiries, the minister disclosed allegations that elements within PTI were purportedly contacting the EU with intentions to revoke Pakistan’s GSP Plus status, describing such actions as a nefarious conspiracy aimed at inflicting suffering upon the nation’s populace.
PTI assails Tarar
In response to the Information Minister’s assertions, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) swiftly criticized Mr. Tarar, refuting his claims and denying any involvement in drafting a letter to the European Union (EU) aimed at revoking Pakistan’s GSP Plus status. The PTI spokesperson clarified that there were no plans whatsoever within the party to pursue such action. Instead, the spokesperson credited PTI’s founder, Imran Khan, for assuring the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which reportedly led to the release of the second tranche of the IMF bailout package for Pakistan.
Dismissing Mr. Tarar’s accusations as unfounded, the PTI spokesperson labeled them as a concoction of falsehoods and nonsense.
Moreover, the spokesperson urged those accused of stealing the national mandate to repatriate the ill-gotten wealth stashed abroad to aid in stabilizing Pakistan’s faltering economy, rather than indulging in lectures on patriotism.
Highlighting PTI’s efforts to ensure the success of the IMF program despite facing severe oppression, suppression, and political victimization, the spokesperson challenged the minister to come forth with the truth, attributing delays in the program to the obstinacy of Ishaq Dar and his party, a point allegedly conceded by former PML-N ministe
The spokesperson further alleged that the priorities of the purportedly experienced ministers of the ‘PDM-2’ alliance were not aligned with national welfare but focused on plundering the national treasury for personal gain.
Concluding, the spokesperson advised the government, dubbing it the “government of Form 47,” to abandon the politics of deceit and prioritize the welfare and prosperity of the nation.
EU denies receipt
In response to the unfolding events, the European Union’s delegation in Islamabad clarified on Wednesday that they had not received any formal communication from the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) regarding the Generalized System of Preferences Plus (GSP+) trade status held by Pakistan.
Samar Saeed Akhtar, Press Officer for the EU Delegation, unequivocally stated, “We have not received any official communication from PTI regarding GSP+,” thereby offering a clear position on the matter to Dawn.
Since 2014, Pakistan has benefitted from the GSP+ program, an initiative crafted by the EU to incentivize developing nations to uphold human rights, labor standards, environmental protection, and good governance through trade incentives. These incentives include reduced tariffs for exports to the EU market. However, Pakistan’s eligibility for this preferential status is contingent upon demonstrating substantial progress in implementing 27 international conventions covering various rights and governance issues.
The EU diligently monitors adherence to these conventions, relying on reports from the UN and other international bodies, and conducts regular assessments through missions on the ground. The outcomes of these evaluations are documented in reports to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, with biennial reviews completed in 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022. The latest review underscored ongoing concerns regarding enforced disappearances and declining media freedom.
In October, the European Parliament extended Pakistan’s GSP+ status until 2027, facilitating duty-free exports on 66 percent of product tariff lines to the European market.
However, the EU retains the authority to withdraw the GSP+ status if a beneficiary country fails to meet the program’s stringent criteria. This withdrawal process typically involves a dialogue phase aimed at remediation but may result in the suspension of benefits if issues are not adequately addressed, as evidenced by the case of Sri Lanka in 2010 due to human rights concerns.
In April 2021, the European Parliament adopted a resolution urging a review of Pakistan’s GSP+ status due to an “alarming” increase in blasphemy allegations and escalating attacks on journalists and civil society.