ISLAMABAD (AP) — The European Union on Friday warned Pakistan that its status as a duty-free exporter to the bloc will continue to depend on the progress the country makes in addressing concerns about civil and labor rights, and freedom of speech.

The European Union has warned Pakistan that its status as a duty-free exporter to the bloc will continue to depend on the progress the country makes in addressing concerns about civil and labor rights and freedom of speech.

The European Union has cautioned Pakistan that its duty-free exporter status under the GSP+ scheme is contingent upon improvements in civil and labor rights and freedom of speech. The comment followed a visit by EU human rights representative Olof Skoog to Islamabad to discuss pressing rights issues.

The European Union Special Representative for Human Rights Olof Skoog expressed to Pakistani authorities his concern on various issues related to human rights in the Asian country during a week-long visit that ended on Friday.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar with EU Special Representative for Human Rights Olof Skoog. (EU Delegation to Pakistan) LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Pakistan’s preferential trade status could be jeopardized if it does not address human rights concerns,

Skoog urges Pakistan not to try civilians in military courts, limit freedom of expression merely to protect individuals from criticism.

The GSP-Plus is a lifeline of sorts in exports for a melting economy, through which Pakistani products have an instant access to EU markets on duty-free or minimum duty. It has to be noted that Pakistan exports goods worth more than $9 billion to the EU,

According to the spokesman, 80,000 Afghans have been resettled in various countries, while more than 40,000 remain in limbo. Among them, 25,000 were expected to be relocated to the US. Under the initial agreement with the US, the resettlement process was scheduled for completion by September 2025.

The European Union delegation, headed by Ambassador Olof Skoog, the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, and accompanied by Dr.

Ambassador Olaf Skoog praised Pakistan’s active engagement with the EU and highlighted the mutual benefits of the GSP+ framework for both Pakistani exporters and European importers. He also expressed his desire for stronger collaboration between the EU and Pakistan at multilateral human rights forums.

The warning came at the end of a visit to Islamabad by Olof Skoog, the EU's special representative for human rights, which the EU said was aimed at engaging Pakistan on “the most pressing human rights and labor rights issues and discussing Pakistan’s ...

Pakistani and international free media advocacy groups, along with human rights activists, have condemned the amended ‘cybercrime law’ and call for its repeal