ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated Pakistan’s dedication to enhancing collaboration within the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan, particularly in the fields of migration and mobility. His remarks came during a meeting with European Union Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, who visited Islamabad.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister underscored Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to control irregular migration and combat smuggling and human trafficking through comprehensive legislative reforms, strengthened institutions, effective enforcement, and international collaboration. He stressed that efforts to address irregular migration should be paired with practical opportunities for safe, orderly, and regular migration.

Prime Minister Sharif pointed out that expanding legal channels for skilled Pakistani workers and professionals could satisfy European labor market demands while decreasing the risk of migrants falling prey to smuggling networks. Commissioner Brunner acknowledged the measures taken by the Pakistani government and expressed confidence in the positive impact these efforts would have on expanding legal migration pathways and promoting mutually beneficial labor mobility between Pakistan and the EU.

The dialogue centered on enhancing Pakistan-EU cooperation in migration and mobility, one of the eight pillars of the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan established in 2019.