ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday called for expanded legal migration opportunities for its skilled workers and professionals in Europe, as European Union Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner held separate meetings with the president, prime minister, deputy PM and interior minister to discuss mig­ration management, border security and bilateral cooperation.

PM Shehbaz, welcoming Mr Brunner on his first visit to Pakistan, undersco­red the importance Islamabad at­­tached to its partnership with the EU and highlighted efforts to curb irregular migration, migrant sm­­uggling and human trafficking thr­­ough legislative reforms, ins­ti­tutional strengthening, enfor­c­em­ent and international cooperation.

He stressed that efforts to add­ress irregular migration should be complemented by practical op­­­portunities for safe, orderly and regular migration. Expan­ding legal pathways for Pakistani skilled workers and professionals, he said, would help meet European labour market needs while reducing migrants’ vulnerability to smuggling networks.

Mr Brunner appreciated Pakis­tan’s measures and cooperation, expressing confidence that they would help expand legal migration pathways and promote mutually beneficial labour mobility.

President Asif Ali Zardari, dur­­ing his meeting with Mr Brunner at Aiwan-i-Sadr, called for exp­anded legal migration channels, skills-based mobility and structured cooperation with the EU.

He said Pakistan remained committed to the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan and highlighted its implementation of the EU Readmission Agree­ment, under which more than 30,000 individuals had been readmitted over the years.

Legal gateway office

According to the president, EU figures showed that irregular mi­­gration from Pakistan had dec­lined by 64pc over the preceding 18 months, making Pakistan the only country in the region to achieve such a reduction. He cal­led for greater opportunities thr­ough the EU Talent Partnerships framework. He also urged the EU to consider establishing a Euro­pean Legal Gateway Office in Pakistan.

The president said Pakistan had sought EU assistance to strengthen the capacity of the Pakistan Coast Guards and FIA to combat irregular migration and migrant smuggling. He expressed hope that the next round of the Pakistan-EU Migration and Mobility Dialogue, expected in Brussels early next year, would advance cooperation.

He commended Pakistan’s efforts to prevent illegal migrants from undertaking dangerous journeys.

Dar stresses practical outcomes

DPM Ishaq Dar also met Mr Brunner, expressing satisfaction with the positive mom­entum in Pakistan-EU relations.

Mr Dar highlighted Pakistan’s efforts against irregular migration and human trafficking, str­e­ssing that these should be mat­ched by increased legal migration opportunities for skilled wo­­rkers and professionals. The com­­mis­sioner ack­nowledged Pakis­­tan’s potential for expanding legal pathways.

64pc decline in irregular migration

At a separate meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, the EU commissioner discussed border security, legal migration and border management.

Mr Brunner commended Pakistan’s efforts to curb irregular migration to Europe, praising the FIA for its professional competence despite limited resources.

Mr Naqvi said Pakistan had adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal migration. “After a 64pc reduction in illegal migration, our next target is its complete elimination,” he said.

The two sides agreed to stren­gthen cooperation in immigration, institutional coordination and border management, and to work together on the EU’s Eas­tern Corridor Initiative to eliminate irregular migration. They also discussed enhancing the cap­­acity of the Pakistan Coast Guards.

EU support sought on EV skills

Separately, Adviser to the PM on Industries Haroon Akhtar Khan met an EU delegation to discuss skills development, technical training and capacity building in the electric vehicle sector.

Mr Khan said Pakistan aimed to increase the share of EVs to 30 per cent by 2030, adding that the transition required trained technicians, engineers and a supporting industrial ecosystem. He said the forthcoming Auto Policy would focus on EVs and automotive development, while work was also under way on a Battery Energy Storage System policy.

He directed the Engi­ne­e­ring Development Board to engage with the EU team to identify areas of cooperation.

Published in Dawn, October 14th, 2026