KARACHI, Nov 25 (APP): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday welcomed the European Union (EU) Monitoring Mission visiting Karachi as part of the 5th Biennial Review of the GSP+ scheme, reaffirming the Sindh government’s strong commitment to human rights, labour rights, governance, environmental protection and social development.
The seven-member EU delegation was led by Mr. Sirgio Baliberia, Advisor to the GSP+ Directorate in the Directorate General Trade. Federal Secretary of Commerce Jod Paul also attended the meeting. From the Sindh side, provincial ministers Saeed Ghani and Syed Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, IG Police Ghulam Nabi Memon, Home Secretary Iqbal Memon, Secretary to CM Abdul Raheem Shaikh, Law Secretary Ahmed Ali Baloch, Human Rights Secretary Khalid Chachar and other senior officials were present.
The meeting featured extensive discussions on human rights, minority rights including transgender protections labour inspections, workplace safety, child rights, climate change and energy transition.
The EU delegation appreciated Sindh’s efforts, particularly in the domains of human rights protections, minority welfare, social safeguards, and institutional reforms.
“The human rights and minority protection measures taken by the Sindh government are encouraging,” Mr. Sirgio Baliberia remarked.
CM highlights strategic importance of EU partnership and GSP+.
Welcoming the delegation, the Chief Minister described the EU as a long-standing partner in promoting rights-based governance. “Our partnership with the European Union is extremely important. The GSP+ arrangement is vital for Pakistan’s exports, sustainable development and institutional reforms,” Shah said.
Murad Shah noted that Pakistan is currently undergoing the 5th Biennial Review of GSP+, and Sindh is fully coordinating with the Ministry of Commerce and federal institutions. “The detailed responses submitted to the European Commission reflect a joint effort of federal and provincial governments,” he added.
The Chief Minister highlighted the active role of the Sindh Treaty Implementation Cell (TIC) in ensuring compliance with all 27 international conventions tied to the GSP+ scheme. He welcomed the EU Mission’s decision to visit the provincial TIC office during their Karachi trip, terming it “a positive opportunity for direct engagement and assessment.”
Sindh as Pakistan’s export hub; need for continuation of GSP+.
Chief Minister Murad Shah emphasised that Sindh is the country’s primary export hub, with key industries including textiles, leather, fisheries and manufacturing. “The continuation of GSP+ is essential for job creation, women’s economic empowerment, SME support and poverty reduction,” he said.
He urged the EU to avoid “overly stringent conditions” in the next GSP+ framework, adding that Pakistan would welcome capacity-building and technical support from the EU.
The EU team praised Sindh’s progress in labour rights, women’s rights and transgender protections.
The EU delegation was told that the Sindh Human Rights Commission received 491 complaints from 2023–25, resolving 50 per cent and disposing 62 suo motu cases. Regular meetings of the provincial steering committee ensure oversight.
2,000 police officers trained under the Torture and Custodial Death Act 2022. 1,356 women-related violence cases active in courts, with 154 convictions, reflecting strengthened access to justice. 33 minority protection police desks established; 403 places of worship restored. A dedicated Journalists’ Protection Commission has resolved 41 cases.
The chief minister said that 600,000 flood-affected homes have been registered in women’s names “a historic step in empowerment,” he said. He added that Pink buses, vocational training and a 15 per cent quota in government jobs for women are major steps.
Local council seats and a 0.5 per cent job quota are reserved for the transgender community.
Murad Shah said that there is no compromise on labour rights. Sindh Labour Department conducted 18,397 labour inspections in 2025, identifying 1,936 violations, with 1,446 penalties imposed. Sindh’s labour monitoring is ‘twice as rigorous as ILO standards.’
Under the Sindh Control of Narcotics Substances Act 2024, 3,600 drug dependents were rehabilitated, Murad Shah said. He added that good governance and Anti-Corruption are top priorities.
The EU acknowledged Sindh’s progress on modern governance. “An online anti-corruption system is active; 154 officers are trained in modern investigation tools,” the CM said.
Discussing Mangrove cover increased from 160,000 hectares (2010) to 265,000 hectares (2025). 39 renewable energy projects are operational across Sindh. Government schools, health centres and offices are being rapidly solarised. The CM said Sindh’s climate response serves as a “model for Pakistan,”.
Child Protection and Special Education, Murad Shah said that the Child labour rate dropped from 20.6 per cent to 10.3 per cent in the 2025 Child Labour Survey. The CM said that 5,700 children with autism are enrolled at CRUs; 4,190 students are enrolled in 66 special education centres.
The CM disclosed that Sindh’s social sector budget increased from Rs 899 billion to Rs 1,283 billion over three years.
The EU delegation praised the province’s swift climate actions, clean energy initiatives and child rights reforms, terming them “positive and impactful”.
The meeting ended with a comprehensive review of ongoing and future GSP+ related initiatives. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that ongoing reforms, institutional coordination and constructive engagement with the EU will ensure a successful 5th Biennial Review.
“We are grateful for the EU’s trust. Sindh has delivered measurable results across all sectors and remains committed to transparent, effective and rights-based governance,” Shah concluded.
