Skilled workers and professionals in Europe: PM for expanding legal migration opportunities

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday called for expanding legal migration opportunities for Pakistani skilled workers and professionals in European countries, saying safe and regular pathways could help meet labour-market needs while reducing migrants’ vulnerability to smuggling networks.

The prime minister made these remarks while talking to Magnus Brunner, European Union Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, who called on him here on his first visit to Pakistan.

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

Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening its partnership with the European Union across all pillars of the engagement plan.

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

The prime minister noted that expanding legal pathways for Pakistani skilled workers and professionals would help address the labour-market needs of European countries while protecting prospective migrants from exploitation by smuggling networks.

Commissioner Brunner appreciated the measures taken by Pakistan and the cooperation extended by its government.

He expressed confidence that these efforts would contribute to expanding legal migration pathways and promoting mutually beneficial labour mobility between Pakistan and the European Union.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026