Mazaj News– Pakistan and three European countries reached a key agreement on tackling illegal migration during a four-nation conference held in Rome on Thursday.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with Italy’s Matteo Piantedosi, Spain’s Fernando Grande-Marlaska and Greece’s Athanasios Plevris to discuss coordinated action against illegal migration, human smuggling and narcotics trafficking.
The meeting concluded with a joint policy framework and a rapid-response mechanism to combat illegal migration. The ministers also agreed to promote legal migration pathways as a long-term solution to discourage dangerous and irregular journeys.
European partners appreciated Pakistan’s efforts, highlighting a 47 per cent reduction in illegal migration cases. The countries also agreed to enhance European Union-supported capacity building for Pakistan.
It was further decided that criminals involved in serious offences would be repatriated to Pakistan to face legal action. The next meeting on illegal migration will be held in Pakistan later this year.