Pakistan is concerned that a free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union could lead to a decline in the country’s textile and home goods exports to Europe. The senior vice chairman of the Home Furniture Manufacturers and Exporters Association (North Zone), Ahmed Afzal Afzal, has urged the prime minister to take emergency measures to protect Pakistan’s interests in the EU market.
Pakistan currently enjoys duty-free access to the EU under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Plus scheme, but if India secures preferential tariffs under an FTA, Pakistani exporters will face stiff competition from their Indian counterparts. Pakistan’s GSP Plus status is conditional on strict implementation of 27 international conventions, including human rights, labor rights, environmental protection, and governance, which increases the cost for exporters.
Meanwhile, an audio message allegedly leaked of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) secretary information Sheikh Waqas Akram has been released from the rest of the Australia series. The French Embassy in Pakistan has expressed congratulations to Ali Akbar, a Pakistani-French newsagent, on receiving an award.
In cricket news, former owner of the Multan Sultans, Ali Tareen, has denied allegations of harassment. In 2003, Vivek Oberoi had accused Salman Khan of threatening Ayesha Raheem in the Ayesha Raheem case. PTI chairman Barrister Gohar has provided a clarification on the leaked audio message of Sheikh Waqas Akram.
