Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain has stressed the need to develop safe, orderly, regular and dignified migration pathways based on genuine labour market demand.
He was addressing the Budapest Process Thematic Working Group Meeting on Legal Pathways for Migration in Islamabad on Wednesday. The minister said Pakistan deployed more than 750,000 workers overseas in 2025, reflecting the growing importance of labour mobility.
He said Pakistan's approach focuses on preparing workers before migration, protecting them during employment, maintaining links with them abroad and supporting their reintegration upon return.
He highlighted the National Emigration and Welfare Policy 2026, which focuses on safe and regular emigration, skills development, welfare of overseas Pakistanis, diaspora engagement and reintegration of returning migrants.
Chaudhry Salik Hussain also highlighted the EU-Pakistan Talent Partnership, aimed at providing pre-departure training, language courses, skills recognition and job matching for Pakistani workers in Europe.
He called for stronger cooperation among governments, employers and training institutions to address labour shortages and make recruitment and visa processes more predictable.
Speaking on the occasion, Director General of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), Susanne Raab, stressed the need for stronger international cooperation to develop effective legal pathways for migration and labour mobility.
She thanked the Government of Pakistan for hosting the meeting for the second consecutive year.
Susanne Raab said Pakistan's active engagement reflects its commitment to strengthening inter-regional cooperation on legal pathways and labour mobility.
She described the Budapest Process as a long-standing platform for policy exchange and cooperation on migration among more than fifty governments and over fifteen partner organisations.
She said well-designed legal migration opportunities can contribute to economic growth, address labour market needs and promote safer, orderly and regular migration.
Susanne Raab welcomed the participation of private-sector representatives, saying employers are essential partners in designing migration pathways that respond to real labour market needs.
She expressed hope that the two-day meeting would produce concrete recommendations and practical solutions for stronger cooperation on legal pathways and labour mobility.
The two-day meeting is being attended by representatives and diplomats from Turkiye, Hungary, Italy, the European Union, international organisations and the private sector.