In a significant development aimed at fostering legal migration and strengthening bilateral ties, Italy has declared that it will issue 10,500 work visas specifically for Pakistan’s skilled workforce. This announcement was made by Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi during a high-level meeting held in Rome with his Pakistani counterpart, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. The initiative reflects Italy’s commitment to creating more structured and lawful pathways for Pakistani professionals seeking employment opportunities abroad, while simultaneously addressing concerns related to irregular migration.
During their discussions, Minister Piantedosi also confirmed that Italian authorities have agreed to grant visa-free entry to holders of Pakistani diplomatic passports. This move came in response to a formal request from Minister Naqvi and follows prior diplomatic exchanges aimed at facilitating smoother travel for Pakistani officials. The decision to extend such privileges is expected to enhance diplomatic relations and ease official interactions between the two countries.
Minister Naqvi took the opportunity to update his Italian counterpart on Pakistan’s intensified efforts to combat illegal immigration networks. He highlighted recent improvements in border security, including enhanced surveillance and monitoring systems at airports and maritime checkpoints. These measures have reportedly led to a notable reduction in unlawful departures from Pakistan, signaling the country’s serious approach to curbing human smuggling and irregular migration. The Italian minister expressed appreciation for these proactive steps and praised the effective performance of Pakistani institutions in tackling complex challenges such as human trafficking, drug smuggling, and irregular migration flows.
Both ministers emphasized their shared commitment to deepening cooperation across multiple fronts, including security, counter-narcotics, and law enforcement. They agreed on the necessity of strengthening coordination mechanisms to dismantle transnational criminal networks that exploit vulnerable migrants. Furthermore, they underscored the importance of expanding legal migration channels to provide safer and more regulated alternatives for Pakistani workers aspiring to work in Italy and beyond. The meeting was described as constructive and forward-looking, reflecting a mutual determination to balance migration control with humanitarian and economic considerations.
In a related development, Minister Piantedosi also held talks with Greece’s Minister for Migration and Asylum, Athanasios Plevris. Both officials agreed to intensify collaboration to combat illegal immigration and human smuggling more effectively. They discussed joint strategies aimed at disrupting unlawful migration routes and enhancing institutional coordination between their respective countries. A major breakthrough emerged as Pakistan and Greece decided to finalize a bilateral migration cooperation agreement that has been pending for nearly two years. This agreement is expected to formalize and streamline cooperative efforts in managing migration challenges.
Additionally, the two ministers resolved to establish a Joint Working Group tasked with operationalizing the frameworks for future collaboration. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi welcomed Greece’s willingness to assist in upgrading the capabilities of Pakistani police and paramilitary forces, particularly through technology-driven operations. He stressed that expanding legal migration pathways is crucial to effectively countering illegal channels and protecting migrants from exploitation. Naqvi reiterated Pakistan’s zero-tolerance stance against illegal immigration and human smuggling, reaffirming the country’s dedication to international cooperation in this domain.
Minister Plevris echoed this sentiment by expressing Greece’s readiness to work closely with Pakistan at all levels to promote lawful migration and strengthen border security. This trilateral engagement between Pakistan, Italy, and Greece marks an important step toward coordinated regional efforts to manage migration flows responsibly while safeguarding the rights and dignity of migrants.
