Fight against human trafficking and opening safe and regular access channels
Migration and mobility at the center of the summit between Pakistan and the EU in Islamabad. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with European Commissioner Magnus Brunner to redesign and enhance strategic collaboration between the two powers.
Brunner, visiting Pakistan for the first time, met Sharif to discuss cooperation under the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan, adopted in 2019, which includes migration and mobility among its eight pillars.
Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening ties with the EU and highlighted the country’s efforts to combat irregular migration, migrant smuggling and human trafficking through legislative reforms, strengthening institutions, law enforcement action and international cooperation.
He also stressed that efforts to address irregular migration should be accompanied by concrete opportunities for safe, orderly and regular migration.
“Expanding legal migration channels for Pakistani skilled workers and professionals,” he said, “could help meet labor market needs in European countries, while reducing migrants’ vulnerability to illicit trafficking networks.”
Brunner welcomed Pakistan’s measures and cooperation, expressing confidence that such efforts will help broaden legal migration opportunities and promote mutually beneficial labor mobility between Pakistan and the EU.
