Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening cooperation across all pillars of the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan.
He was talking to European Union Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner, who called on him in Islamabad today.
The Prime Minister highlighted Pakistan’s sustained efforts to curb irregular migration and combat migrant smuggling and human trafficking through legislative reforms, institutional strengthening, effective enforcement and international cooperation.
He emphasised that efforts to address irregular migration should be complemented by practical opportunities for safe, orderly and regular migration.
He noted that expanding legal pathways for Pakistani skilled workers and professionals would help meet the labour market needs of European countries while reducing the vulnerability of prospective migrants to smuggling networks.
Commissioner Brunner appreciated the measures taken and the cooperation extended by the Government of Pakistan.
He expressed confidence that these efforts would contribute positively to the expansion of legal migration pathways and the promotion of mutually beneficial labour mobility between Pakistan and the European Union.
The meeting focused on strengthening Pakistan-EU cooperation in the areas of migration and mobility, one of the eight pillars of the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan 2019.
