Overview
- A European Parliament Committee on Development delegation led by Lukas Mandl met Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan in Islamabad on October 27.
- Pakistan pressed for a fair resolution of the Basmati rice Geographical Indication dispute and urged the EU to reinstate GSP+ duty relief on ethanol exports.
- Both sides agreed to deepen cooperation on trade, investment, human rights compliance and sustainable development, including technical engagement on the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.
- The minister highlighted reforms and institutional progress, citing Pakistan’s 2026–2028 UN Human Rights Council election, NCHR “A-status” accreditation and recent laws on child marriage, journalist protection and interfaith harmony.
- Pakistan invited EU investment in agriculture, food processing, seed development, SMEs, e-commerce and technology transfer, noting a policy rate cut from 22% to 11% to improve the business climate.