Pakistan and Poland have agreed to work on increasing legal migration and employment opportunities for Pakistanis in Europe on Wednesday (today) during talks.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry met Polish Minister Tomasz Siemoniak, who is visiting Pakistan. The meeting focused on strengthening relations between the two countries, in security, migration and economic cooperation.
They agreed that creating more legal employment opportunities could help reduce illegal migration from Pakistan to Europe. Siemoniak assured Pakistani officials that citizens who travel to Poland legally would be welcomed.
Naqvi said Pakistan has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against illegal migration, drugs and organised crime. According to him, government measures have resulted in a 64 per cent decline in illegal migration from Pakistan to Europe.
Pakistan, Poland expand security cooperation
The two countries also agreed to increase cooperation in counterterrorism, intelligence sharing and law enforcement.
Ways were discussed to fight organised crime and prevent illegal migration. They also agreed to speed up work on several agreements, including mutual legal assistance.
A delegation from Pakistan’s Interior Ministry, led by Talal Chaudhry, is expected to visit Poland soon, focusing on strengthening bilateral ties and following up on the agreements discussed in Islamabad.
The two sides also discussed possible visa-free travel for holders of official passports. However, an announcement of visa-free travel for ordinary Pakistani passport holders is not yet announced.
Jobs and legal migration
Earlier, in February, officials from six countries agreed to develop a coordinated plan to discourage illegal migration and promote legal routes. They also agreed to provide official level employment opportunities for Pakistanis.
Pakistan and Poland currently want to expand trade and business. Naqvi thanked Poland for supporting Pakistan under the European Union’s GSP Plus scheme. Poland has also expressed interest in expanding economic and security ties with Pakistan.
Siemoniak praised Pakistan’s efforts for regional peace and stability and promised further cooperation in security and economic areas.
However, Pakistani applicants still need to follow Poland’s official visa and employment procedures. The Polish Embassy warns applicants to use only the official e-Consulate system for visa registration and to be cautious of agents claiming to provide visa appointments.