Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi secures EU-backed support for capacity building as European counterparts praise Pakistan’s 47% reduction in irregular migration
ROME, February 26, 2026: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held high-level meetings in Rome with his European counterparts during a four-nation conference aimed at curbing illegal migration and strengthening cooperation against transnational crime.The meeting brought together Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, Spain’s Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, and Greece’s Migration Minister Athanasios Plevris.
The talks focused on adopting a coordinated approach to combat irregular migration, human smuggling, and narcotics trafficking.European ministers commended Pakistan’s efforts to tackle illegal migration, highlighting a reported 47 percent reduction in such cases. They endorsed Naqvi’s proposal to promote legal migration pathways as a sustainable solution to irregular flows and agreed to extend full support to Pakistan for capacity building under the European Union framework.The four sides finalized a joint policy framework and agreed on a coordinated, multi-level strategy to address cross-border criminal networks. It was also decided that individuals involved in serious criminal offenses would be repatriated from Europe to Pakistan to face legal proceedings under Pakistani law.
The ministers emphasized enhanced coordination and the establishment of a joint rapid response mechanism to effectively counter transnational crime. They further agreed to hold the next round of talks in Pakistan later this year.Speaking on the occasion, Naqvi said mafias involved in illegal migration had been brought to justice and stressed that Europe remains among the regions most affected by irregular migration flows. He underscored that only a coordinated international mechanism can effectively address the growing challenge.Italian Interior Minister Piantedosi described Pakistan’s measures as commendable, while Spain’s Grande-Marlaska termed the actions under Naqvi’s leadership exemplary. The European ministers expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s cooperation and commitment.Pakistan’s Ambassador to Italy Ali Javed, Director General FIA Dr. Usman Anwar, and other senior officials also attended the meeting.
