Italy to issue 10,500 work visas for Pakistani skilled workers

Italy will issue 10,500 work visas for Pakistan’s skilled labour force as part of efforts to promote legal migration, Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said during a meeting with Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in Rome.

According to an official statement issued on Wednesday, the two sides reviewed cooperation on internal security and discussed measures to prevent illegal immigration.

During the meeting, Naqvi requested visa exemption for holders of Pakistani diplomatic passports. The Italian minister recalled that the issue had been raised in a previous discussion and agreed to grant visa exemption for diplomatic passport holders.

The ministers also discussed collaboration in combating narcotics trafficking, human smuggling and terrorism. Both sides appreciated ongoing efforts to curb illegal immigration.

Naqvi briefed his counterpart on steps taken by Pakistan to address illegal migration, including stricter monitoring at airports and maritime borders. He said these measures had contributed to a reduction in illegal departures.

Piantedosi acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts in countering illegal immigration, human smuggling and drug trafficking. Both sides agreed to expand cooperation to facilitate legal migration and strengthen coordination in areas of mutual interest.

Officials of the Punjab Police also briefed the participants on the Police Khidmat Markaz Global initiative. The initiative was appreciated during the meeting.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Italy Ali Javed, Director General FIA Dr Usman Anwar, Managing Director Punjab Safe City Authority Ahsan Younas, and senior police officers Abid Khan and Sohail Chaudhry were also present.