Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday stated that Pakistan is collaborating with European nations to curb illegal immigration and bring the practice to an end.
Speaking at the Pakistan-Austria Business Forum in Vienna, the premier emphasized that Pakistan firmly opposes unlawful migration. He said Islamabad is coordinating closely with European partners, including Austria, France, and Germany, to collectively stop illegal immigration.
The prime minister assured that Pakistan would meet Austria’s requirement for skilled workers in line with internationally recognised certification standards.
Each year, thousands of young Pakistanis attempt to travel abroad through irregular channels in search of employment. A 2023 report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the European Union revealed that approximately 24,000 Pakistanis had entered EU countries illegally in the past three years.
Highlighting bilateral ties, PM Shehbaz described relations between Pakistan and Austria as longstanding and cordial. He identified key sectors of cooperation such as mining, minerals, and renewable energy, adding that discussions with Austrian leadership were aimed at translating dialogue into concrete outcomes.
The premier noted that nearly 60 percent of Pakistan’s population comprises youth, stressing the importance of equipping them with modern skills, including information technology, artificial intelligence, and digital tools.
He also underlined Pakistan’s vast agricultural potential and invited Austrian collaboration in value-added production. He suggested that Austria could support Pakistan with expertise and advanced technology to enhance citrus processing and boost exports of products such as marmalade and juices to European and Middle Eastern markets.
Guard of Honour at Austrian Chancellery
Earlier, PM Shehbaz was formally received at the Austrian Chancellery, where he was accorded a guard of honour by Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker. National anthems of both countries were played during the welcoming ceremony.
The two leaders introduced their respective delegations before holding one-on-one talks followed by delegation-level discussions covering the full spectrum of bilateral relations. The prime minister also signed the guest book at the Chancellery.
Accompanying the premier on the visit are Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and senior aide Tariq Fatemi.
The visit commemorates 70 years of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Austria and marks the first trip by a Pakistani prime minister to Austria in more than 30 years. The previous visit was made by then-prime minister Nawaz Sharif in 1992.