Death penalty obstructs Pak's greater access to EU markets

Pakistan's case for greater access to the European markets would be weakened substantially if it does not abolish death penalty, the Foreign Ministry told the Senate today.
In a written response, the Foreign Ministry said the case of Generalised System Preference (GSP) plus status could be weakened by the issue of capital punishment, as the EU seeks its abolishment and has notified the Pakistani officials on the matter.
The Foreign Ministry said the issue of death sentence was not a condition but it could pose a threat to the granting of the aspired status.
The status remains crucial as the EU is one of Pakistan's leading trading partners and the upgraded status would grant Pakistani exporters greater access to the 28 member countries of the EU.

Although the EU has previously clarified that the abolishment of the death penalty is not a condition, according to a Dawn report, every aspirant for the GSP Plus status has to sign 27 conventions relating to human rights, child labour, and fair trade practices.