LONDON – Governor Punjab Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar said on Thursday thatPakistan had earned and benefited US $ 15 billion from Generlazied Systemof Preference (GSP) Plus facility since 2013-14, granted by the EuropeanUnion (EU).
He stated this while addressing a press conference at a local hotel herethis afternoon.
Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar said from next month the tenure of GSP Plusfacility for Pakistan would be reviewed by the European Union, so he hadvisited Brussels and Portugal to discuss the renewal of the facility forPakistan which, he said remained very fruitful and productive.
He said in this regard he had met with the members of the EuropeanParliament, Chairperson of Human Rights and Head of Foreign Affairs of theEU.
He added that he had discussed with more than thirty (30) members ofEuropean Parliament for the renewal of the GSP Plus facility to Pakistan.
He added that due to GSP Plus facility Pakistan’s exports to Europeancountries had increased at a ratio of US $ three (3) billion per year whilein the Euro Zone Pakistan’s exports have witnessed 51 percent increase.
He said Pakistan was the only country which had established “GSP Plustreaty implementation cell” at federal and provincial levels to resolveconcerns to human rights and labour related issues.
He condemned that India was hatching organized conspiracies against renewalof the GSP Plus facility to Pakistan.
He questioned that India which was the biggest violator of human rights inIndian occupied Kashmir was pointing the finger against Pakistan.
Chaudhry Sarwar said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government under the dynamic,honest and credible leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan was followingthe the vision of the father of Nation Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah forprotecting the rights of minorities and providing them equal rights andopportunities in Pakistan.
He specially mentioned the opening of Kartarpur corridor for Sikh communityfrom India and across the globe.
He said the PTI government believed on across the board accountability ofall elements involved in corruption and corrupt practices irrespective ofpolitical affiliations.
He added that steps had also been taken for the recovery of the lootedpublic money from the corrupt elements.
Read Top Stories
He said the PTI government was also highlighting the Kashmir issue and theplight of the oppressed people of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir at allnational and internal forums till realization of their birthright toself-determination and freedom from Indian occupation.
“Accountability for all is our moto”, he remarked.
He on the occasion reiterated the government’s commitment to recover thelooted money from the plunderers of national wealth and public money.
The Governor Punjab said the government was also promoting the merit onlycriteria for the appointments, adding the government had appointed twenty(20) Vice chancellors of different universities purely on merit.
He added that the PTI government and Prime Minister Imran Khan was makingefforts for strengthening of national institutions by promoting goodgovernance and transparency besides encouraging honest and hardworkingofficials in these institutions for the socio-economic development of thecountry.
He added that now the focus of the government was on the alleviation ofpoverty, provision of clean drinking and the welfare of the peopleespecially common man.
He also highlighted the steps taken by the government for the resolution ofthe problems being faced by the overseas Pakistanis.
Sarwar said in the last four months 80 percent of their problems includingrelated to properties have been resolved.
He called upon the British Pakistani community to vote for those candidatesin forthcoming UK Parliament elections on December 12, who would supportPakistan’s principled stand on Kashmir and the ongoing struggle of peopleof Indian occupied Kashmir for their just right to self-determination andfreedom from Indian occupation.
He said the government wanted devolution of power at provincial levels byempowering the local bodies in the country.
