President Asif Ali Zardari has called on the European Union to open more legal migration routes for Pakistani professionals and workers. He argued that Pakistan’s efforts to curb irregular migration should be matched by safer, skills-based pathways and organised cooperation with the EU.
The remarks came during a meeting at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad with the European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner. Discussions covered Pakistan-EU relations, migration management, efforts to stop human trafficking and migrant smuggling, and opportunities to promote legal migration.
Pakistan points to falling irregular migration
Zardari said Pakistan is committed to the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan and values its wide-ranging cooperation with the bloc. He noted that Pakistan has readmitted more than 30,000 people over the years and continues to implement the EU Readmission Agreement.
He also said Pakistan is still pursuing better laws, stronger institutions, border controls and international cooperation to combat human trafficking and irregular migration. Citing EU figures, he said irregular migration from Pakistan fell by 64% over the last eighteen months, making Pakistan the only country in the region to achieve such a reduction.
The meeting was told that Pakistan has asked the EU for help in strengthening the Pakistan Coast Guards and the Federal Investigation Agency. The aim is to improve efforts against irregular migration and migrant smuggling.
Call for legal pathways and talent partnerships
Zardari stressed that legal routes are essential for offering safe work opportunities and reducing dependence on smuggling networks. He pointed to the Pakistan-EU Migration and Mobility Dialogue as a useful framework for matching Pakistan’s human resources with European labour market needs.
He hoped the next round of that dialogue, expected in Brussels early next year, would advance cooperation. The president also called for more openings for professionals and talented workers, particularly through circular migration, and welcomed the expansion of the EU Talent Partnerships framework.
Zardari said Pakistan was ready to work with the EU on a systematic approach to align its labour force with European demand. In light of the current Talent Partnership and Pakistan’s efforts to curb illegal migration, he expressed hope that the EU would consider setting up a European Legal Gateway Office in Pakistan.
He added that Pakistan and the EU share a broad relationship covering political dialogue, trade, development cooperation and other areas of mutual interest. He said he was confident that continued engagement would deepen mutual understanding and practical cooperation on migration and mobility.
Brunner praises Pakistan as delegations attend
Commissioner Brunner praised Pakistan’s contribution to regional balance, saying the country had done a “fantastic job” in this regard. He also commended Pakistan’s efforts to stop undocumented migrants from taking perilous routes that have cost many lives.
Raimundas Karoblis, the EU ambassador to Pakistan, accompanied the commissioner. Also present were Grigorios Delavekouras, a member of Brunner’s cabinet, and Henrik Nielsen, director of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs.
Pakistani attendees included Senator Sherry Rehman, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, former federal minister Naveed Qamar, Minister of State for Interior and Narcotics Control Muhammad Talal Chaudhry, and Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi.
