ROME: Greece has agreed to increase the number of work visas for Pakistanis.
Pakistan and Greece have decided to establish a joint working group to promote legal migration and prevent illegal immigration. Both countries will collaborate to stop illegal migrants.
The agreement followed a meeting in Rome, Italy, between Greece’s Minister for Migration and Political Asylum, Athanasios Plevris, and Pakistan’s Federal Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi.
During the meeting, both sides agreed on joint measures to tackle illegal immigration and human smuggling and decided to enhance cooperation to promote legal migration.
Mohsin Naqvi persuaded Minister Plevris to raise the number of work visas for Pakistanis to encourage legal migration.
Pakistan and Greece also agreed to finalize a migration cooperation agreement that had been pending for two years and to establish a joint working group to coordinate future efforts against illegal immigration and human smuggling.
Pakistan highlighted its strict zero-tolerance policy against illegal migration and human smuggling, noting that hundreds of human traffickers have been arrested, particularly networks like “Dinky” that smuggle Pakistanis into Greece and other European countries.
Naqvi welcomed Greece’s support in improving the professional capacity of Pakistan’s police and paramilitary forces and promoting technology-based operations.
The Pakistani delegation included former Punjab Police IG and now FIA Director General Dr. Usman Anwar, Punjab Safe City Authority Managing Director Ahsan Younus, and senior police officers Sohail Chaudhry and Abid Khan.
They briefed the Greek minister on ongoing operations against human trafficking. Pakistani Ambassador Ali Javed in Italy was also present.
Minister Plevris appreciated Pakistan’s steps against illegal immigration and confirmed Greece’s readiness to cooperate at all levels to facilitate legal migration from Pakistan.
