Need to expand employment opportunities for Pakistani skilled workforce in european countries: Chaudhry Salik Hussain

Islamabad
Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain has said Pakistan possesses enormous potential to provide a skilled and trained workforce, capable of meeting the labour market needs of European Union (EU) member states. He stressed the need to expand lawful employment opportunities for Pakistanis in European countries and strengthen bilateral cooperation in skills development.
The Federal Minister expressed these views during a meeting with European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner, who was leading the European Union delegation. Minister of State for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Muhammad Awn Chaudhry was also present at the meeting.
The discussions covered a range of issues, including legal migration, talent partnerships, prevention of irregular migration, protection of the rights of overseas Pakistanis, and improved access for Pakistani workers to European labour markets.
Chaudhry Salik Hussain highlighted the significant employment potential for Pakistani youth in various sectors, including healthcare, construction, information technology, agriculture, transport and other technical fields. According to the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment, the number of Pakistani workers registered for employment in EU member states had reached 9,057 by August 2026.
The Federal Minister described the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Pakistan and Italy in May 2025, along with the announcement of 10,500 employment opportunities for Pakistani workers over a three-year period, as an important milestone in promoting legal migration. He proposed developing similar practical arrangements with other European countries, including Germany, Finland, Greece and Ireland.
Referring to Pakistan’s successful experience in deploying skilled workers to South Korea, the Federal Minister said Pakistani workers could secure a prominent position in the global labour market through their hard work, technical expertise and professional capabilities.
The Minister further stated that various measures, including effective monitoring, verification of travel documents and action against facilitators involved in illegal activities, had contributed to an approximately 47 per cent reduction in irregular migration. He emphasised that curbing irregular migration and expanding legal employment opportunities remained key objectives of Pakistan’s policy.
The meeting also explored proposals for developing a joint action plan, setting annual deployment targets, providing market-oriented vocational training and language education, facilitating visa processing, and establishing a joint technical working group to review progress and ensure effective implementation.
Head of the European Union delegation Magnus Brunner appreciated the efforts of Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain in the field of migration. Both sides emphasised the importance of promoting legal migration, strengthening information-sharing mechanisms, and enhancing cooperation among relevant institutions.
The Federal Minister expressed hope that cooperation between Pakistan and the European Union would further expand in facilitating the mobility of skilled workers and promoting legal employment opportunities, generating mutual benefits for both sides.