Archive · 2 Aug 2026
Pakistan Keeps EU GSP+ Despite PoK Human Rights Violations
Pakistan is still getting special trade help from the European Union, even though its soldiers have been accused of shooting at peaceful protestors in a region called Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The soldiers also cut off phones and stopped journalists from reporting.
More than 50 people were killed and many others hurt.
A group called the Joint Awami Action Committee says the government is not listening to the people.
The EU says that countries in its trade program must follow rules about human rights, but Pakistan keeps getting the benefits anyway.
Similar problems, like people disappearing, are also happening in another part of Pakistan called Balochistan.
Pakistan remains a beneficiary of the EU's GSP+ scheme despite alleged human rights violations in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Pakistani security forces reportedly fired on peaceful protesters, imposed communication blackouts, and detained journalists in PoK.
Over 50 people have been killed and hundreds injured in PoK protests, according to a Joint Awami Action Committee member.
The EU's GSP+ requires compliance with human rights, labour, and environmental conventions, yet Pakistan continues to receive zero tariffs on exports.
Similar human rights abuses, including enforced disappearances, have been reported in Balochistan.
- Who
- Pakistani security forces and the European Union
- What
- Alleged human rights abuses in PoK and continued GSP+ benefits
- When
- Recent days (past 4 days) and ongoing
- Where
- Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Balochistan
- Why
- Pakistan's suppression of protests and EU's trade policy
- Beneficiary of GSP+
- Pakistan
- Trade scheme
- EU GSP+
- Human rights violations reported
- Yes
- Casualties in PoK
- 50+ killed, hundreds injured
- Affected regions
- Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Balochistan