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Italy announces 10,500 work visas for Pakistan as Rome, Athens boost migration cooperation

By The South Asia Times

ROME - Italy will issue 10,500 work visas for Pakistani skilled workers as part of efforts to promote legal migration, following talks between Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Italian counterpart Matteo Piantedosi in Rome.

The announcement came during a meeting focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in internal security, combating illegal immigration, and expanding lawful migration channels.

According to Pakistani officials, Italy also agreed in principle to grant visa exemptions for holders of Pakistani diplomatic passports, a matter previously discussed between the two sides.

Both ministers reviewed joint efforts to curb human smuggling, narcotics trafficking and terrorism. Naqvi briefed the Italian side on measures taken by Islamabad to tighten airport and maritime border controls, saying stricter monitoring had led to a decline in illegal departures. Piantedosi praised Pakistan’s recent enforcement steps and reaffirmed Italy’s willingness to deepen cooperation.

Separately, Naqvi met with Greek Migration Minister Athanasios Plevris, where both sides agreed to step up joint measures against human smuggling and finalize a long-pending Migration Cooperation Agreement. The two countries also decided to establish a Joint Working Group to enhance coordination and increase work visa opportunities through legal channels.

Pakistani officials described the engagements as part of a broader push to expand lawful migration pathways while maintaining a zero-tolerance policy toward illegal immigration networks.