Pakistan and EU agree to fight illegal migration and widen legal routes for skilled workers as crossings fall 64%

Pakistan and the European Union have agreed to widen cooperation against illegal migration and to open more legal routes for skilled Pakistani workers, after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met the EU's Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, in Islamabad on Tuesday 13 October, Dawn reported.

The headline figure from the meeting: illegal migration from Pakistan to Europe is down 64%, a fall Brunner called "commendable" and said would "pave the way" for legal migration.

What was agreed

• Border security and management: closer work between Pakistani and EU agencies, and more institutional coordination on immigration.
• The EU's Eastern Corridor Initiative: Pakistan will work with the EU on the route that takes migrants overland through Iran and Turkey and by sea towards Greece and Italy.
• Pakistan Coast Guards: more EU help to build their capacity.
• Legal migration: both sides said they would promote legal pathways and expand opportunities for skilled Pakistani workers in Europe.

Naqvi said Pakistan has a zero-tolerance policy and its next target is the "complete elimination" of illegal migration. Brunner praised the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for its work "despite limited resources". The heads of the FIA, NCCIA, Passports, the Federal Constabulary and Islamabad's chief commissioner were in the talks.

Why it matters to families here

Irregular routes to Europe run through paid agents and dangerous land and sea crossings. A sharper crackdown means more action against agents at home, and a wider legal route is the part that could matter most to families. In February, Pakistan agreed with Italy, Spain and Greece to promote legal pathways, Dawn noted.

No new visa numbers, programmes or dates for skilled workers were announced on Tuesday. Until they are, the safe way to Europe for work is a job offer from a real employer and a work visa from the country's own embassy. Applying for a passport first? Our passport fee calculator gives the current charges, and our guide to Canada's visa scam warning lists the signs of a fake agent that apply to any country.