Italy will grant 10,500 work visas to Pakistani citizens and waive entry requirements for Pakistani diplomats, according to a statement released by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on February 26, 2026. The agreements emerged from a four-nation conference in Rome focused on curbing illegal migration, where Pakistan, Italy, Spain, and Greece reached a consensus on a coordinated strategy.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi led the Pakistani delegation at the conference, meeting with his counterparts: Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, Spain’s Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, and Greece’s Migration Minister Athanasios Plevris. The discussions centered on promoting legal pathways for migration as a means to counter illegal migration, human smuggling, and narcotics trafficking, according to a statement from Pakistan’s Interior Ministry.
The agreement includes a commitment to repatriate criminals involved in serious offenses from Europe back to Pakistan to face legal proceedings. European partners acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts to reduce illegal migration, noting a reported 47 percent decrease in cases originating from Pakistan. In return, the European Union pledged enhanced capacity building support for Pakistan.
“Pakistan, Italy, Spain and Greece agreed on a coordinated strategy against illegal migration, human smuggling and narcotics, including a joint policy framework and rapid-response mechanism,” Naqvi stated in a post on X. He further emphasized the importance of establishing legal pathways to effectively counter illegal migration.
The Italian Interior Minister, Matteo Piantedosi, and his Spanish counterpart, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, both praised the steps taken by Pakistani institutions, with Grande-Marlaska specifically commending the actions taken under Naqvi’s leadership. The three European ministers expressed gratitude to Naqvi for Pakistan’s efforts.
A separate six-nation conference in Warsaw similarly recently applauded Pakistan’s crackdown on illegal migration, though details of that meeting were not immediately available. Naqvi informed Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar of the work permit deal and visa waivers following the European talks, according to sources within the Prime Minister’s office.
The four nations agreed to strengthen coordination and enhance a joint and rapid response mechanism to address the issue of illegal migration. They also decided to hold the next meeting in Pakistan later this year, signaling a continued commitment to collaborative efforts.
