Migration to EU: PM seeks legal pathways

Shehbaz meets with EU commissioner for migration

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday emphasised the need to complement efforts to curb irregular migration with practical opportunities for "safe, orderly and regular migration" during a meeting with European Union (EU) Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner.

The meeting focused on strengthening Pakistan-EU cooperation in the areas of migration and mobility, one of the eight pillars of the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan 2019, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a press release.

Welcoming Commissioner Brunner on his first visit to Pakistan, the prime minister highlighted Pakistan's sustained efforts to curb irregular migration and combat migrant smuggling and human trafficking through legislative reforms, institutional strengthening, effective enforcement, and international cooperation.

The premier underscored the importance Pakistan attached to its partnership with the EU and reaffirmed its commitment to further strengthening cooperation across all pillars of the Pak-EU Strategic Engagement Plan.

He noted that expanding legal pathways for Pakistani skilled workers and professionals would help meet the labour-market needs of European countries while reducing the vulnerability of prospective migrants to smuggling networks.

Brunner appreciated the measures taken and the cooperation extended by the government of Pakistan. He expressed confidence that these efforts would contribute positively to the expansion of legal migration pathways and the promotion of mutually beneficial labour mobility between Pakistan and the EU.

NAFSC

Terming agriculture as the backbone of the national economy, the prime minister noted that the sector has the potential to steer Pakistan's economy on the path of development in a short span of time.

He made the remarks while chairing the first meeting of the National Agriculture and Food Security Council (NAFSC).

The premier observed that the livestock sector also possessed vast potential to increase national exports and the government was taking steps to increase Pakistan's halal meat exports.

He said the federal government would provide all kinds of cooperation to the provinces for agricultural development, adding that providing farmers with low-cost fertilizer, quality seeds, modern machinery and equipment and technical capabilities for the better use of water was a top priority.

The prime minister expressed his satisfaction at the availability of wheat to meet domestic requirements and warned that no leniency would be shown to those hoarding wheat.

He stressed that ensuring a fair price for farmers' crops, especially small and medium-scale farmers, is a priority, adding that it was necessary to determine the correct price of wheat before sowing so that farmers received appropriate compensation for their hard work.

"We want farmers to get the right price for wheat and consumers to avail of affordable wheat. The decision regarding the price of wheat will be made in consultation with the provinces," he said.

During the meeting, the prime minister lauded Punjab chief minister for taking commendable steps such as farmers' development, aquaculture, shrimp farming, and providing direct subsidies to farmers through the Kissan Card.