ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday called for greater legal migration opportunities for Pakistani workers and professionals in Europe, stressing that Islamabad’s sustained efforts to curb irregular migration should be complemented by expanded legal pathways, skills-based mobility and structured cooperation with the European Union (EU).
President Zardari made these remarks during a meeting with European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner, who called on him at the President’s House.
According to a press release issued by the President Secretariat’s Media Wing, the meeting discussed bilateral relations, cooperation in migration management, efforts to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling, and ways to facilitate legal migration.
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President calls for greater opportunities for legal migration for Pakistani workers and professionals in Europe
President Asif Ali Zardari has called for greater opportunities for legal migration for Pakistani workers and professionals in Europe, stressing that Pakistan’s sustained efforts to curb irregular migration should be matched by expanded legal pathways, skills-based mobility and structured cooperation with the European Union.
The President expressed these views during a meeting with Magnus Brunner, European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr today. The meeting focused on Pakistan-EU relations, cooperation on migration management, efforts to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling, and opportunities to facilitate legal migration.
President Asif Ali Zardari said Pakistan attaches great importance to its broad-based cooperation with the European Union and remains committed to implementing the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan.
The President highlighted Pakistan’s cooperation with the EU in curbing irregular migration, noting that Pakistan continues to implement the EU Readmission Agreement and has readmitted more than 30,000 individuals over the years. He said Pakistan remains committed to combating human trafficking and irregular migration through stronger legislation, institutional capacity, border controls and international cooperation.
Referring to the progress made in reducing irregular migration, the President noted that, according to EU figures, irregular migration from Pakistan reduced by 64% in the last eighteen months, making Pakistan the only country in the region to achieve such a reduction. He said this progress reflects Pakistan’s sustained efforts and underlined the importance of expanding safe and legal avenues for migration.
The meeting was informed that Pakistan has sought the European Union’s assistance in strengthening the capacity of the Pakistan Coast Guards and the Federal Investigation Agency to enhance efforts to combat irregular migration and migrant smuggling.
The President emphasised that legal migration pathways are essential to providing safe opportunities for workers and reducing reliance on smuggling networks. He highlighted the Pakistan-EU Migration and Mobility Dialogue as a useful framework for matching Pakistan’s human-resource potential with European labour-market needs and expressed the hope that the next round of dialogue, expected to take place in Brussels early next year, would advance this cooperation.
President Zardari also welcomed the expansion of the EU Talent Partnerships framework and called for greater opportunities for skilled workers and professionals, including through circular migration. He said Pakistan is ready to work with the EU on a structured mechanism to match its workforce with European labour-market requirements. He also expressed the hope that the EU would consider establishing a European Legal Gateway Office in Pakistan, given the existing Talent Partnership and the country’s efforts to curb irregular migration.
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— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) October 13, 2026
The President said Islamabad remains committed to combating human trafficking and irregular migration through stronger legislation, institutional capacity, border controls and international cooperation.
President Zardari also welcomed the expansion of the EU Talent Partnerships framework and called for greater opportunities for skilled workers and professionals, including through circular migration.
Commissioner Magnus Brunner appreciated Pakistan’s role in maintaining regional balance and said the country has done an amazing job in this regard.
He also commended the country’s efforts to prevent irregular migrants from undertaking dangerous journeys that cost many of them their lives.
PM Sharif reaffirms commitment to strengthen cooperation with EU
Meanwhile, European Commissioner Magnus Brunner also called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during which the priemer reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to further strengthening cooperation across all pillars of the Strategic Engagement Plan.
The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the areas of migration and mobility, one of the eight pillars of the Strategic Engagement Plan 2019, according to a statement issued by the PM House’s media wing.
The PM highlighted Islamabad’s sustained efforts to curb irregular migration and combat migrant smuggling and human trafficking through legislative reforms, institutional strengthening, effective enforcement, and international cooperation.
Mr. Magnus Brunner, European Union Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, today. https://t.co/y073eH6avm
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) October 13, 2026
Shehbaz Sharif stressed 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 South Asian nation.
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.
EU praises Pakistan’s measures to combat illegal migration
The European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner also held a meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi during which he praised Islamabad’s measures to combat illegal migration.
Magnus Brunner said the country’s effective measures have resulted in a commendable sixty-four percent reduction in illegal migration to Europe.
He also commended the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for demonstrating professional capabilities despite limited resources. He said reducing illegal migration will open up pathways for legal migration.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said Pakistan has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against illegal migration. He said following a 64% reduction in illegal migration, our next target is to eliminate it completely.
The European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration @magnusbrunner has praised Pakistan’s measures to combat illegal migration
@MohsinnaqviC42 @MOIofficialGoP #RadioPakistan #news
https://t.co/THxnIHiaX6 https://t.co/AOz0KMdSDs— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) October 13, 2026
Mohsin Naqvi stressed the need for the two sides to work together to completely eliminate illegal migration.
Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in border security and promote legal immigration. They also agreed to further strengthen collaboration in migration, institutional cooperation, and border management.
The two sides decided to work jointly on the European Union’s Eastern Corridor Initiative to combat illegal migration.
