Italy to Issue 10,500 Visas for Pakistani Skilled Workers, Says Interior Minister

Rome: Italy will provide 10,500 visas for Pakistani skilled workers under a legal migration program, Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi announced during a meeting with Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

The meeting, held in Rome, focused on strengthening internal security cooperation and reviewing measures to curb illegal immigration.

Piantedosi said Italy would grant 10,500 visas to Pakistani skilled laborers to promote legal migration. He also stated that holders of Pakistani diplomatic passports would be exempted from visa requirements, recalling that Mohsin Naqvi had earlier raised the matter of visa exemption for diplomatic passports.

During the talks, both sides discussed cooperation in combating drug trafficking, human smuggling, and terrorism. The two ministers appreciated ongoing efforts to prevent illegal immigration and human trafficking.

Mohsin Naqvi highlighted that stricter monitoring at airports and maritime borders in Pakistan had significantly reduced illegal migration.

The Italian interior minister praised Pakistan’s effective policies against illegal immigration, human smuggling, and narcotics, describing the country’s achievements as commendable. He added that Italy is ready to enhance cooperation with Pakistan in areas of mutual interest and to further promote legal migration channels.