A delegation led by ICMPD's Director General Michael Spindelegger was on mission in Pakistan and met with high-level gouverment partners in Pakistan. He met Mr. Syrus Sajjad Qazi, Secretary from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Faisal Nisar, Joint Secretary from the Ministry of Interior, Mr. Jawad Sohrab Malik Special Assistant to the Prime Minster on Overseas Pakistanis and Mr. Mohsin Butt, Director General, Federal Investigation Agency.
Mr. Spindelegger also saw Mr. Jawad Sohrab Malik, Special Adviser to the Prime Minister, and Mr. Zulfiquar Haider, Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development to discuss its ongoing cooperation on migration and border management related matters with the Government of Pakistan.
ICMPD is currently collaborating with various government entities in Pakistan on projects focusing on policy development, research, capacity building, awareness raising, and the facilitation of dialogue and coordination. These initiatives span national, regional and international levels – covering border management, reintegration and labour mobility.
The Director General expressed appreciation to the Government of Pakistan for their longstanding support to ICMPD during a meeting with Mr. Syrus Sajjad Qazi, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He acknowledged that the success and effectiveness of ICMPD's initiatives in Pakistan have relied heavily on the Ministry's support.
Since the signing of the 2020 Cooperation Agreement, ICMPD's activities in Pakistan have significantly broadened. ICMPD is eager to strengthen this partnership further, engage with crucial stakeholders, and reiterate its commitment to aligning with the priorities of the Government of Pakistan.
Mr. Faisal Nisar, Joint Secretary Ministry of Interior thanked ICMPD for its ongoing support and expressed its commitment to further enhancing its partnership with ICMPD through technological advancements and comprehensive personnel training.
Mr. Mohsin Hasan Butt, DG FIA, led the meeting at the FIA Headquarters and appreciated the close cooperation and shared goals between both organisations established under the framework of ICMPD's extensive border management program in Pakistan. He shared the FIA's vision for modernisation to facilitate travellers and to make border crossings more efficient and effective. He also underscored the Agency's resolute commitment towards curbing irregular migration from Pakistan.
Mr. Jawad Sohrab Malik Special Assistant to the Prime Minster on Overseas Pakistanis, Ministry of Overseas Pakistani reaffirmed its commitment to offering comprehensive support services to Pakistani nationals residing abroad. Labour mobility and the diversification of countries of destination for Pakistani labour force, including through improved partnerships, remain vital areas of focus for future collaboration. The Ministry also appreciated the role of Migrant Resource Centres in Islamabad and Lahore. These centres funded by European Union and managed by ICMPD under the auspices of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, play a crucial role in raising awareness about regular migration opportunities and the risks associated with irregular migration. The Ministry welcomed Mr. Spindelegger's announcement regarding the planned opening of a new Migrant Resource Centre in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2023.
The Director General also visited the Hazza Institute of Technology to observe an awareness session conducted by the Migrant Resource Centre counsellors. In his address to the Institute's students, he emphasised the importance of internationally recognised skills acquisition in today's competitive, interconnected world.
During the meetings, ICMPD and its government partners underscored the importance of sustained dialogues, enhanced coordination, and targeted public awareness campaigns on migration.