Pakistan and the European Union have agreed to strengthen cooperation against illegal migration while expanding legal migration opportunities. The agreement was reached during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner in Islamabad on Tuesday.
The meeting was followed by delegation-level discussions covering border security, immigration, border management and institutional coordination. Both sides expressed their commitment to working together to address illegal migration and improve cooperation between Pakistani and European authorities.
Brunner praised Pakistan’s efforts to curb illegal migration, highlighting a reported 64 per cent reduction in irregular migration to Europe. He described the progress as commendable and appreciated the Federal Investigation Agency’s professional performance despite its limited resources.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said Pakistan had adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal migration. He stated that the next target was to eliminate the practice completely after achieving the reported 64 per cent reduction. Naqvi also described illegal migration as a serious global challenge requiring coordinated action.
The discussions also focused on creating more opportunities for skilled Pakistani workers to migrate legally to European countries. Both sides agreed to promote legal migration channels and strengthen institutional cooperation. Brunner assured Pakistan of the European Union’s possible support in these areas.
Pakistan and the EU also agreed to work together on the bloc’s Eastern Corridor Initiative to combat illegal migration. The two sides discussed improving the operational capacity of the Pakistan Coast Guards and enhancing border security measures. Several senior officials from Pakistan’s interior ministry, immigration authorities and law enforcement agencies attended the meeting.
The latest agreement follows earlier efforts to expand legal migration pathways. In February, Pakistan reached a consensus with Italy, Spain and Greece on promoting legal routes to Europe as a way to combat illegal migration and human smuggling. Last month, Naqvi also highlighted the reported 64 per cent decline and called for modern technology, stronger institutions and expanded legal migration opportunities. The latest talks aim to build on these efforts through closer cooperation between Pakistan and the EU.
