Pakistan urges EU to continue GSP+, raises alarm over India's water treaty violations
The delegation, led by former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, met with Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament's International Trade Committee, to discuss regional tensions following a recent military escalation with India, the worst confrontation between the nuclear-armed neighbors in decades.
The group previously visited Washington and London as part of a broader diplomatic effort to rally international support after the conflict in which the two nations exchanged drones, missiles, and artillery strikes between May 7-10 before a ceasefire was announced. Since then, both countries have launched diplomatic offensives to present their narratives on the conflict and its causes.
'We just had a meeting with their [EU] trade representative, where we conveyed Pakistan's message of peace,' Bhutto Zardari told reporters after the meeting.
'In that context, we specifically raised the decisions related to the Indus Waters Treaty, which are violations of international law, and in the EU context, they strongly believe in respecting treaties and adhering to international law. So, in that context, we pitched our case.'
The 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank, governs the distribution of water from the Indus River system between India and Pakistan. Islamabad has expressed alarm in recent months over what it sees as India's unilateral actions affecting river flows, warning that any withdrawal from or violation of the treaty could destabilize water access for millions of people in the region.
Bhutto Zardari emphasized that Pakistan seeks engagement over confrontation with India, citing terrorism, the longstanding Kashmir territorial dispute, and water issues as areas that require dialogue.
'There should be engagement with India, whether on the issue of terrorism, the Kashmir dispute, or, of course, the critical issue of water, so that solutions can be found,' he said.
Bhutto Zardari also thanked the European Union for expressing condolences over Pakistani casualties in the recent clashes with India and praised the bloc's commitment to international norms.
'If you look at this recent conflict, the violation of international law has been committed by one side, and that side is not Pakistan,' he said.
Musadiq Malik, Pakistan's federal minister for water resources and another member of the delegation, warned EU officials of the wider implications of undermining water treaties.
'If India is given the right to exit the Indus Waters Treaty, then 70 percent of the world's countries that are lower riparian, whose populations depend on drinking water, agriculture, and life itself, will face destruction,' Malik said.
He urged the international community to preserve a rules-based global order.
'Because if we do not, remember, in the Wild West, the one with the faster gun ruled,' he added.
Former ambassador Jalil Abbas Jilani, also part of the delegation, said the team had requested continued EU support for Pakistan under the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), which allows duty-free or low-duty access for developing countries to the European market in exchange for progress on human rights, labor standards, environmental protection, and good governance.
'We requested them to continue their support for GSP+, as they have in the past,' Jilani said. 'We hope the European Union will take into consideration Pakistan's need for the GSP+ status and will play a role in its continuation.'
The current GSP+ arrangement, which has significantly boosted Pakistan's textile exports to the EU, is due for review as the bloc finalizes the next phase of its trade preference program. The scheme has played a key role in supporting Pakistan's exports, particularly in the garment sector, which employs millions.
Pakistan GSP+ benefits were extended last year until 2027.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Arabiya
2 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
US to explore cooperation with Pakistan over critical minerals, hydrocarbons
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington looked forward to exploring cooperation with Pakistan on critical minerals and hydrocarbons, with his comments coming in a statement issued by the State Department on Pakistan's Independence Day. Why it's important Washington and Islamabad hailed a trade deal last month, which Pakistan said would result in lower tariffs and increased investment. Pakistan's Commerce Minister Jam Kamal has said Islamabad will offer US businesses opportunities to invest in mining projects primarily in the southwestern Balochistan province through joint ventures with local companies, providing concessions such as lease grants. The province is home to key mining projects, including Reko Diq, run by mining firm Barrick Gold and believed to be one of the world's largest gold and copper mines. Key quotes 'We look forward to exploring new areas of economic cooperation, including critical minerals and hydrocarbons, and fostering dynamic business partnerships,' Rubio said late on Wednesday. 'The United States deeply appreciates Pakistan's engagement on counterterrorism and trade.' Context Before President Donald Trump's administration, Islamabad's relationship with Washington had cooled in recent years, as the US drew closer to Pakistan's traditional adversary India to counter China's rise, among other factors. Washington also resented Islamabad over Afghanistan, especially under former President Joe Biden's administration, which oversaw a chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and the takeover of the country by the Taliban insurgency that Washington accused Islamabad of backing. Pakistan denied the charge. In recent months, Washington's ties with Islamabad have improved. Trump took credit for a ceasefire between India and Pakistan after the Asian neighbors engaged in hostilities in May following an April attack in India-administered Kashmir. Pakistan praised Trump while India maintained that New Delhi and Islamabad should resolve their issues directly without outside involvement. Counterterrorism talks The US and Pakistan held the latest round of counterterrorism talks in Islamabad on Tuesday. Washington has designated separatist militant group Balochistan Liberation Army as a 'foreign terrorist organization.' 'The US-Pakistan counterterrorism dialogue joint statement is one of the most positive and effusive I've seen from these two countries on CT for quite a few years,' Michael Kugelman, a Washington-based South Asia analyst and writer for Foreign Policy magazine, said.
Al Arabiya
8 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
EU leaders and Zelenskyy hold talks with Trump ahead of Putin summit in Alaska
On tonight's W News with Leigh-Ann Gerrans, we're live in Berlin as the German chancellor and President Zelensky, alongside EU leaders, hold a call with President Trump ahead of his meeting with Putin. Plus, the New Zealand prime minister has said Netanyahu has 'lost the plot' — we ask an IDF major for his thoughts and hear from the WHO regarding 27 countries' warnings about a famine unfolding before our eyes. And, as troops descend on Washington DC, we speak to former Trump chair Rob Artlett about why Trump has made the call.
Arab News
9 hours ago
- Arab News
Pakistan's month at the helm of UN Security Council
Pakistan, a nonpermanent member of the UN Security Council, assumed the presidency of the council in July. This was not just another rotation of a customary role. It was a demonstration of what principled, proactive and inclusive leadership looks like at a time of great global turbulence. By firmly placing the focus on multilateralism, respect for international law and the pacific settlement of disputes, Pakistan steered the council's work with clarity of purpose and a sense of urgency. That Pakistan was able to deliver concrete results reflects the strength of its diplomatic credentials. This is the eighth time that Pakistan has been elected by the UN membership to serve on the Security Council as a nonpermanent member. There is a long tradition of excellence and leadership that the Pakistani delegation has been able to draw from. From peacekeeping to peacebuilding, Pakistan has always remained a forceful voice calling for dialogue and diplomacy, championing the rights of the unrepresented, underprivileged and marginalized. From Day 1, Pakistan's approach has been anchored in its long-standing commitment to the principles and purposes of the UN Charter. As president, Pakistan's brief to the council was rooted in familiar themes: upholding transparency, remaining constructive, and promoting cooperation to deliver the fundamental elements of the UNSC's mandate. Pakistan effectively used both formal and informal spaces to press for concrete outcomes. From peacekeeping to peacebuilding, Pakistan has always remained a forceful voice calling for dialogue and diplomacy. Ahmad Farooq Pakistan convened two signature events during its month-long presidency. The first was the high-level open debate on 'Promoting International Peace and Security through Multilateralism and the Peaceful Settlement of Dispute,' chaired by Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed Ishaq Dar. The meeting underscored the UN's collective commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes and greater utilization of the tools available in the UN Charter to address various ongoing challenges. The Security Council also adopted by consensus the Pakistan-sponsored Resolution 2788 that reflected this common objective. The second key event was a briefing on the collaboration between the UN and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, also chaired by Pakistan's deputy prime minister and foreign minister. The briefing contributed to amplifying the Islamic world's collective voice at the UN. It also resulted in a presidential statement calling for deeper and more structured engagement between the two organizations. This initiative reflected Pakistan's long-standing belief that regional organizations are indispensable partners in achieving peace and stability. Both these marquee events, as well as the open debate of the UNSC on the Middle East and the Palestinian question organized by the Pakistani presidency, provided an ample opportunity for UN member states to highlight the plight of the people of Gaza, who are braving the worst atrocities in recent memory at the hands of an occupying power. These formal meetings augmented pro-Palestinian voices and gave them a platform to urge for more concrete and urgent efforts to end the genocide in Gaza. Pakistan was able to leverage its leadership role to shine a spotlight on the plight of the besieged people of Gaza. Ahmad Farooq The Palestinian cause has always been a top priority for Pakistan. It is a sacred trust for every Pakistani diplomat, not only in the UNSC but around the world. Notwithstanding the obvious deadlock in the council, Pakistan was able to leverage its leadership role to shine a spotlight on the plight of the besieged people of Gaza. In his official pronouncements, Dar insisted on three urgent priorities: an immediate ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access and the protection of civilians under international humanitarian law. We also lobbied, together with other like-minded countries, and coordinated closely with Saudi Arabia and members of the Joint Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee to further the case for Palestinian rights, including the early establishment of an independent, viable and contiguous Palestinian state based on internationally agreed parameters. Both within the council's hallowed chamber, as well as during numerous closed-door consultations, Pakistan's message has remained clear and unambiguous: silence in the face of suffering is complicity. Pakistan's leadership of the UNSC offered a timely reminder that multilateralism remains the most reliable way to address our collective challenges — both imminent and distant. Pakistan's focus was not on picking sides but on building bridges. We are committed to remaining the leading voice in support of dialogue and diplomacy, especially in cases of foreign occupation and the denial of fundamental human rights. Along with other members of the council, as well as our regional and international partners, Pakistan will continue its efforts to preserve and promote international peace and security, focusing on international law and the UN Charter. • Ahmad Farooq is Pakistan's ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
