Senate leaders and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) held an introductory dialogue to explore cooperation on migration governance, skills development, mobility and policy reform. The meeting established priorities for collaboration—strengthening legal and safe migration pathways, supporting overseas Pakistanis, advancing border and emigration policies, and providing research and data support to inform legislation.
The session took place at the Senate Secretariat’s Special Initiatives and Project Development office and was attended by Senators Faisal Javed and Fawzia Arshad, members of the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, along with the adviser to the chairman and the secretariat’s project development team. The ICMPD delegation was led by Enrico Ragaglia, Regional Portfolio Manager based in Vienna, and Fawad Haider, Head of Office for ICMPD Pakistan.
Welcoming the delegation, Rida Qazi emphasized the Senate’s role in protecting the rights and welfare of overseas Pakistanis and the need to strengthen the country’s migration governance framework. She noted Pakistan’s large youth population as both a challenge and an opportunity and said international cooperation could help create structured, safe and legal migration pathways based on global best practices.
ICMPD provided an overview of its work in Pakistan and internationally. The International Centre for Migration Policy Development, an intergovernmental organization with 21 member states operating in more than 90 countries, has been active in Pakistan since 2018 under its Silk Routes Region initiative. ICMPD described partnerships with the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, and with law enforcement, to support migration policy, reintegration and border management. The organization also highlighted its role in establishing Migrant Resource Centres in Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar to provide information on safe and legal migration options.
ICMPD’s Pakistan office outlined current initiatives, including efforts to finalize a National Emigration and Welfare Policy for Overseas Pakistanis and an Integrated Border Management Policy, and requested parliamentary support for their approval. Senators welcomed these initiatives and agreed to raise related issues within relevant Senate committees and policy discussions in the Upper House.
Members raised specific concerns affecting migrants and students. Senator Faisal Javed drew attention to Pakistani nationals imprisoned abroad who often lack adequate legal assistance and called for stronger bilateral arrangements to address their needs. He also warned that rising unemployment is pushing many young people into irregular migration, increasing their vulnerability to exploitation and detention. Senator Fawzia Arshad highlighted difficulties Pakistani students face adapting to foreign education systems and urged development of a structured mechanism to support educational mobility.
The meeting ended with a commitment to explore long-term cooperation focused on knowledge sharing, support for Senate committees, and provision of research and data to aid evidence-based legislation and policymaking. Both sides agreed future collaboration should aim to strengthen migration governance, expand labor and skilled mobility opportunities, and position migration as a strategic contributor to economic growth, social protection and international credibility for Pakistan.
