PM calls for legal pathways for Pakistani workers to EU

ISLAMABAD (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said that opening legal pathways for skilled Pakistani workers and professionals will meet European labour market needs and reduce risks of illegal migration and human smuggling.

He was talking to the European Union Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, who called on him here on Tuesday.

The meeting discussed strengthening cooperation between Pakistan and the EU in the areas of migration and mobility, which is one of the eight key pillars of the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan 2019.

Welcoming Commissioner Brunner on his first visit to Pakistan, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of Pakistan’s partnership with the EU and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthen cooperation in all areas of the Strategic Engagement Plan.

The Prime Minister highlighted Pakistan’s continued efforts to prevent illegal migration and curb human smuggling through legislative reforms, institutional strengthening, effective enforcement and international cooperation.

He stressed that efforts to curb illegal migration must be accompanied by practical opportunities for safe, orderly and legal migration.

Commissioner Brunner appreciated the measures taken by the Government of Pakistan and the cooperation extended, and expressed confidence that these efforts would play a positive role in opening legal migration pathways and promoting mutually beneficial labour mobility between Pakistan and the EU.