President Asif Ali Zardari sought greater legal migration opportunities for Pakistani workers and professionals in Europe, the Press Information Department said.
He met Magnus Brunner, European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, at Aiwan-e-Sadr on October 13, 2026. Their discussions covered migration management, human trafficking, migrant smuggling and Pakistan-EU relations.
Zardari said Pakistan’s efforts to curb irregular migration should be matched by expanded legal pathways and skills-based mobility. He also called for structured cooperation with the European Union.
Citing EU figures, he said irregular migration from Pakistan had reduced by 64% in the last eighteen months. He noted that Pakistan continued to implement the EU Readmission Agreement and had readmitted more than 30,000 individuals over the years.
The meeting was informed that Pakistan had sought EU assistance to strengthen the Pakistan Coast Guards and the Federal Investigation Agency. The assistance was sought to improve efforts against irregular migration and migrant smuggling.
Zardari highlighted the Pakistan-EU Migration and Mobility Dialogue as a framework for matching Pakistani workers’ skills with European labour-market needs. He welcomed the expansion of the EU Talent Partnerships framework and sought more opportunities for skilled workers, including through circular migration.
He also expressed hope that the EU would consider establishing a European Legal Gateway Office in Pakistan. Brunner commended Pakistan’s efforts to prevent irregular migrants from undertaking dangerous journeys.
Source: Press Information Department (PID), Government of Pakistan (official statement, PID 34287).
