PM Shehbaz Meets Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to Discuss European Engagements and Internal Security

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to discuss key ministerial engagements in Europe as well as the country’s internal security situation.

During the meeting, the interior minister briefed the prime minister on his participation in a four-nation interior ministers’ conference held in Rome, Italy. The meeting was attended by interior ministers from Pakistan, Spain and Greece, where matters related to migration, security cooperation and legal mobility were discussed.

He also informed the prime minister about his participation in a six-nation interior ministers’ meeting in Poland, attended by representatives from Pakistan, Poland, Latvia, Finland, Estonia and Lithuania.

According to the interior minister, participating countries agreed to expedite the issuance of legal work permits for Pakistani citizens. Member states appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in curbing illegal migration, noting a 47 percent reduction within a year in the number of individuals attempting to travel to European countries through unlawful means. They also acknowledged Pakistan’s measures to combat human smuggling networks.

The minister further stated that Poland and Italy are moving toward abolishing visa requirements for holders of Pakistani diplomatic and official passports. He added that Pakistan would soon present a comprehensive plan to the European Union aimed at further strengthening immigration management and border security capabilities.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the interior minister’s efforts and directed that measures to eliminate human smuggling and promote legal migration be made more effective. The meeting also included a detailed discussion on the overall domestic and security situation in the country.