Mahnoor Ansar

ISLAMABAD, OCT 13 /DNA/ – Magnus Brunner, European Union Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad today.

The meeting focused on strengthening Pakistan-EU cooperation in the areas of migration and mobility, one of the eight pillars of the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan 2019.

Welcoming Commissioner Brunner on his first visit to Pakistan, the Prime Minister underscored the importance Pakistan attaches to its partnership with the European Union.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening cooperation across all pillars of the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan.

The Prime Minister highlighted Pakistan’s sustained efforts to curb irregular migration and combat migrant smuggling and human trafficking through legislative reforms, institutional strengthening, effective enforcement, and international cooperation.

He emphasized that efforts to address irregular migration should be complemented by practical opportunities for safe, orderly, and regular migration.

He noted that expanding legal pathways for Pakistani skilled workers and professionals would help meet the labour-market needs of European countries while reducing the vulnerability of prospective migrants to smuggling networks.

Commissioner Brunner appreciated the measures taken and the cooperation extended by the Government of Pakistan.

He expressed confidence that these efforts would contribute positively to the expansion of legal migration pathways and the promotion of mutually beneficial labour mobility between Pakistan and the European Union.