Italy allocates special quota for over 10,000 Pakistani workers over three years

Italy has allocated a special quota for 10,500 Pakistani workers over the next three years and issued more than 3,200 student visas for the 2025–26 academic year, reflecting growing cooperation between the two countries.

Speaking at Italian National Day and Republic Day celebrations in Islamabad, marking the 80th anniversary of the Italian Republic, Ambassador Marilina Armellin highlighted progress in migration, education, trade, climate action and cultural ties, describing the relationship as one built on trust and shared goals.

Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani and Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik were among the chief guests at the Italian Republic Day celebrations.

The outgoing Italian ambassador said she had witnessed the relationship between Pakistan and Italy grow steadily during her tenure. Marilina noted that one of the most visible signs of this partnership was the construction of Italy’s new diplomatic compound in Islamabad, which she described as a lasting symbol of cooperation between the two countries.

The ambassador said that while work continued on the new embassy headquarters, both nations had also focused on strengthening the substance of their bilateral relationship. Marilina said that migration remained a key area of cooperation because Italy hosted the largest Pakistani community within the European Union.

According to the ambassador, both countries had taken steps to improve consular services and simplify procedures for citizens. She also referred to the implementation of the bilateral migration memorandum signed last year, which had already produced results. Under the agreement, Italy had reserved a special quota for 10,500 Pakistani workers who would be allowed to enter the country over the next three years.

The ambassador said Italy had also introduced training programmes aimed at preparing prospective migrants before their departure. She described these initiatives as important for both countries, helping workers gain skills while supporting legal migration pathways.

Education has emerged as another growing area of cooperation. The ambassador revealed that Italy processed more than 3,200 visas for Pakistani students enrolled in undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes during the 2025–26 academic year. She said the increasing number of Pakistani students attending Italian universities reflects the expanding educational links between the two nations.

Marilina noted that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni publicly supported Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts. The ambassador also referred to coverage by one of Italy’s major newspapers, which described Pakistan’s role under the Latin headline “Islamabada Caput Mundi,” meaning “Islamabad, Capital of the World.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan and Italy have signed an agreement to abolish visa requirements for holders of diplomatic passports.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Italy Ali Javed and Italian Foreign Affairs Secretary General Ambassador Riccardo Guariglia signed the accord at a ceremony hosted at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome.

Ahead of ceremony, both dignitaries convened one-on-one talks. Expressing satisfaction with substance, intensity and soaring trajectory of their two nations’ strategic cooperation, both sides reviewed full spectrum of their traditionally cordial & cooperative bilateral engagement & cooperation at multilateral platforms including UN & EU.

Both sides termed the finalisation of the accord as reflection of mutual trust & friendship and an excellent addition to their existing wide range of bilateral mechanisms for exchanges and cooperation. The Agreement shall facilitate smooth exchanges of diplomatic delegations and strengthen bilateral engagement.

Whereas numerous accords are currently under active consideration by both sides, 21 MoUs exist between universities & think tanks and 15 agreements have been concluded between the two governments in areas ranging from Tourism to Culture, Science & Technology, sports, Higher Defense Studies and Cooperation against Drugs Trafficking.