Pakistan, EU seek expanded legal migration opportu...

Summary

• ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for greater opportunities for safe, orderly and legal migration to Europe, stressing that efforts to prevent irregular migration must be accompanied by practical pathways for Pakistani workers and professionals.
• Brunner appreciated Pakistan’s cooperation and expressed confidence that continued efforts to curb irregular migration would support the expansion of legal migration opportunities.
• Brunner said the reported 64 per cent decline in irregular migration from Pakistan to Europe was commendable and could help create opportunities for legal migration.

AI Generated Summary

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for greater opportunities for safe, orderly and legal migration to Europe, stressing that efforts to prevent irregular migration must be accompanied by practical pathways for Pakistani workers and professionals.

He made the remarks during a meeting with European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner, who is visiting Pakistan for the first time. The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation between Pakistan and the European Union (EU) on migration, mobility and employment opportunities.

Shehbaz highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and migrant smuggling through legislative reforms, stronger institutions, effective enforcement and international cooperation. He said expanding legal opportunities for skilled Pakistanis would help European countries meet their labour-market requirements while protecting prospective migrants from smuggling networks.

The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the EU under the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan, adopted in 2019. Brunner appreciated Pakistan’s cooperation and expressed confidence that continued efforts to curb irregular migration would support the expansion of legal migration opportunities.