A viral claim circulating on social media alleging that Kasim Khan, son of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, called for the revocation of Pakistan’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status has been proven false.
The claim gained traction after a short video clip from a United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session in Geneva on March 25 was widely shared online. Several political figures, including Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Punjab Assembly member Hina Pervaiz Butt, reacted strongly to the alleged remarks.
GSP+ is a significant trade arrangement granted by the European Union, allowing developing countries like Pakistan to export goods to EU markets without tariffs, provided they comply with specific human rights and governance standards.
However, a detailed review of the complete UNHRC session shows that Kasim Khan did not make any statement calling for the suspension or withdrawal of Pakistan’s GSP+ status. The viral clip appears to have been taken out of context and edited in a way that misrepresents his actual remarks.
During his speech, Kasim Khan focused primarily on raising concerns about political conditions and the imprisonment of his father, Imran Khan. He highlighted alleged human rights issues but made no mention of urging action against Pakistan’s trade privileges.
In a separate side event held the same day, he again discussed human rights concerns. His only reference to GSP+ was related to Pakistan’s obligations under international agreements linked to the programme. He argued that certain domestic developments may conflict with these commitments but did not advocate for revoking the status.
Following the controversy, Kasim Khan clarified his position on social media, stating clearly that he supports the continuation of Pakistan’s GSP+ arrangement and believes that the people of Pakistan should not suffer due to political matters.
The evidence confirms that the viral claim is misleading and false. This case highlights the importance of verifying information before sharing, as edited clips and misinformation can quickly spread and create confusion among the public.
