Key Takeaways
- Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and European Commissioner Magnus Brunner met in Islamabad to boost collaboration.
- The meeting focused on border security, legal migration, and border management.
- Pakistan has recorded a 64% reduction in illegal migration to Europe, according to the interior minister.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner met in Islamabad to enhance cooperation against illegal migration. The meeting, held on Tuesday, was followed by delegation-level talks.
Brunner praised Pakistan’s efforts, noting a 64% reduction in illegal migration to Europe, which he described as commendable. He highlighted the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) professional competence despite limited resources.
Naqvi stated that Pakistan had adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal migration and aimed to completely eliminate it. He emphasized the need to expand legal migration opportunities and adopt modern technology to strengthen institutional capacity.
The two sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation in immigration, institutional coordination, and border management. They also discussed the EU’s Eastern Corridor Initiative to eliminate illegal migration.
Both parties agreed to increase collaboration to promote border security and legal migration, with a focus on enhancing the capacity of Pakistan Coast Guards.
During the meeting, officials from various departments including the interior secretary, special and additional interior secretaries, FIA director general, Federal Constabulary inspector general, NCCIA director general, passports director general, and Islamabad chief commissioner were present.
Last month, Naqvi mentioned that Pakistan had recorded a 64% reduction in illegal migration to Europe, describing the achievement as challenging despite limited resources. He reiterated the need to expand legal migration opportunities and adopt modern technology.
In February, Pakistan and three European countries, Italy, Spain, and Greece, reached a consensus on promoting legal pathways to effectively combat illegal migration. The three countries endorsed Naqvi’s proposal to establish legal pathways as a strategy to combat illegal migration and human smuggling during a conference.
