President Asif Ali Zardari has called for greater opportunities for legal migration for Pakistani workers and professionals in Europe.

He was talking to European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner, who called on him in Islamabad today.

The President stressed that Pakistan's sustained efforts to curb irregular migration should be matched by expanded legal pathways, skills-based mobility and structured cooperation with the European Union.

He said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its broad-based cooperation with the European Union and remains committed to implementing the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan.

The President highlighted Pakistan's cooperation with the EU in curbing irregular migration. He noted that Pakistan continues to implement the EU Readmission Agreement and has readmitted more than 30,000 individuals over the years. He said that Pakistan remains committed to combating human trafficking and irregular migration through stronger legislation, institutional capacity, border controls and international cooperation.

Referring to the progress made in reducing irregular migration, Asif Ali Zardari noted that, according to EU figures, irregular migration from Pakistan had reduced by 64 per cent in the last eighteen months, making Pakistan the only country in the region to achieve such a reduction. He said that this progress reflects Pakistan's sustained efforts and underlined the importance of expanding safe and legal avenues for migration.

The meeting was informed that Pakistan has sought the European Union's assistance in strengthening the capacity of the Pakistan Coast Guards and the Federal Investigation Agency to enhance efforts to combat irregular migration and migrant smuggling.

The President emphasised that legal migration pathways are essential to providing safe opportunities for workers and reducing reliance on smuggling networks.

He highlighted the Pakistan-EU Migration and Mobility Dialogue as a useful framework for matching Pakistan's human resource potential with European labour market needs. He expressed the hope that the next round of dialogue, expected to take place in Brussels early next year, would advance this cooperation.

Asif Ali Zardari also welcomed the expansion of the EU Talent Partnerships framework and called for greater opportunities for skilled workers and professionals, including through circular migration.

He said that Pakistan is ready to work with the EU on a structured mechanism to match its workforce with European labour market requirements. He also expressed the hope that the EU would consider establishing a European Legal Gateway Office in Pakistan, given the existing Talent Partnership and the country's efforts to curb irregular migration.

The President said that Pakistan and the EU have a broad-based relationship spanning political dialogue, trade, development cooperation and other areas of mutual interest. He expressed confidence that continued engagement would strengthen mutual understanding and help advance practical cooperation on migration and mobility.

Commissioner Magnus Brunner appreciated Pakistan's role in maintaining regional balance and said that Pakistan has done an amazing job in this regard.

He also commended Pakistan's efforts to prevent irregular migrants from undertaking dangerous journeys that cost many of them their lives.

The meeting focused on Pakistan-EU relations, cooperation on migration management, efforts to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling, and opportunities to facilitate legal migration.