Key Takeaways
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif calls for more legal migration pathways for Pakistanis.
- European Union Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration praises Pakistan’s efforts.
- Both sides agree to enhance cooperation in border security and legal immigration.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for expanding legal migration opportunities for Pakistani skilled workers and professionals in Europe, aiming to meet European labour-market needs while protecting prospective migrants from smuggling networks.
During a meeting with European Union Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner, the prime minister highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to combat irregular migration, migrant smuggling, and human trafficking through legislative reforms and international cooperation.
Sharif emphasized that efforts to address irregular migration should be complemented by practical opportunities for safe, orderly, and regular migration, reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the European Union.
Commissioner Brunner appreciated Pakistan’s measures and expressed confidence that these efforts would help expand legal migration pathways and promote mutually beneficial labour mobility between Pakistan and the European Union.
Earlier, during a meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Brunner praised Pakistan’s measures to combat illegal migration, noting a 64% reduction in illegal migration to Europe.
Naqvi stated that Pakistan has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against illegal migration and aims to eliminate it completely, stressing the need for collaboration with the European Union.
Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in border security and promote legal immigration, with a focus on expanding opportunities for skilled workers.
The meeting also discussed the need for countries to find the political will to save more lives on migration routes, as highlighted by the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The IOM reported that around 7,900 people died or disappeared on migration routes in 2025, taking the total dead and missing since 2014 beyond 80,000, underscoring the urgent need for action.
Efforts to address irregular migration should be complemented by practical opportunities for safe, orderly, and regular migration.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan
Pakistan’s effective measures have resulted in a commendable 64% reduction in illegal migration to Europe.
European Commissioner Magnus Brunner, European Union Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration
