Italy announces 10,500 work visas for Pakistanis, visa-free entry for diplomats
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi secures work visa quota in talks with Italian counterpart: Agreement reached during meeting on migration and security: Italian minister praises Pakistan’s crackdown on illegal migration: Cooperation to expand on legal migration and anti-smuggling efforts
Federal Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi secured a major diplomatic breakthrough as Italy announced it would issue 10,500 work visas for skilled Pakistani labourers, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Wednesday.
According to the report, Italy also declared that holders of Pakistani diplomatic passports would be exempt from Italian visa requirements, following a request by the Pakistani minister.
During the visit, Interior Minister Naqvi met his Italian counterpart, Matteo Piantedosi, where the two sides discussed internal security matters and measures to curb illegal immigration.
Naqvi briefed the Italian minister on the Pakistani government’s effective steps to prevent illegal migration, highlighting enhanced monitoring at airports and sea borders to reduce unlawful departures.
The Italian interior minister praised the Pakistani Ministry of Interior’s policy to combat illegal immigration and formally announced the allocation of 10,500 work visas for skilled Pakistani workers.
Italian minister Matteo Piantedosi also confirmed visa exemption for Pakistani diplomatic passport holders.
The meeting further focused on strengthening cooperation against narcotics trafficking, human smuggling and terrorism.
Both interior ministers appreciated ongoing efforts to counter illegal migration and human trafficking.
Piantedosi commended the performance of Pakistani institutions in tackling illegal immigration, drug trafficking and human smuggling, describing their achievements as noteworthy.
He added that Italy was keen to enhance cooperation in promoting legal migration and was ready to expand collaboration with Pakistan in areas of mutual interest.
According to the channel report, the meeting was also attended by Pakistan’s Ambassador to Italy Ali Javed, Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Dr Usman Anwar, Managing Director of the Punjab Safe City Authority (PSCA) Ahsan Younas, and senior police officers Abid Khan and Sohail Chaudhry.
Punjab police officials also briefed the participants on the effectiveness of Police Khidmat Marakaz Global, an initiative that received strong appreciation during the meeting.
Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi has said that ten thousand and five hundred work visas will be issued for Pakistan's skilled labour force to promote legal migration@MOIofficialGoP @ForeignOfficePk @ItalyMFA_int #RadioPakistan #News @PakinItaly… pic.twitter.com/EhOQlWfTgV
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) February 25, 2026
Reporter: Awais Kiyani