ISLAMABAD: The federal government of Pakistan has announced a major initiative to help undocumented Pakistani migrants in Spain gain legal status.
Under this program, around 15,000 Pakistanis are expected to benefit, along with migrants from other countries.
A special meeting was held under the chairmanship of Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis, Sialk Hussain.
The meeting reviewed progress on issuing Spanish residence cards to eligible Pakistani nationals.
High-level officials, including the Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, the Federal Secretaries of Interior and Overseas Pakistanis, DG FIA, Additional Secretary of the Foreign Ministry, and senior officials from NADRA and the passport office attended.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Spain, Dr. Zahoor Ahmed, and Consul General in Barcelona also joined via Zoom.
Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Sialk Hussain stated that Pakistani migrants will be issued passports and other necessary documents within a week, before the start of the Spanish registration process.
Minister Naqvi said that no passports will be issued to criminals or wanted persons, and additional staff will be deployed at embassies to expedite the process.
The initiative aims to ensure timely availability of all required documents, including police character certificates, and facilitate legal residency for Pakistanis in Spain. So far, the Pakistani embassy and consulate have issued authority letters to 10,000 individuals.