Report Tazeen Akhtar + Camera Raja Ghulam Farid
Ambassador of Italy , MS Marilina Armellin has personally announced the beginning of a new era in bilateral cooperation at the end of her tenure in Pakistan. According to her announcement, made at the 80th National Day of Italian Republic, her country had reserved a dedicated quota of 10,500 work permits for Pakistanis during 2026-2028, while work was underway on a “Skill Passport” framework to align Pakistani youth with the requirements of the Italian labour market, particularly in healthcare, hospitality, information technology and engineering.
Interestingly a good number of federal ministers were present in the celebration except two , who are the most relevant in this regard.
Minister Overseas Salik Hussain had already shared this number in the media and the Pakistanis would certainly travel to Italy through his ministry. He belongs to Gujrat having sound political background of being the elder son of former caretaker Prime Minister and seasoned politician Ch Shujaat Hussain. This is his first term as federal minister but he is one of the most active members of the federal cabinet but still Pakistanis doubt on the implementation of the announcement in the letter and spirit.
Minister Interior Mohsin Naqvi last year toured many countries of Europe and had meetings with counterparts including that of Italy and signed MoUs to stop illegal immigration from Pakistan. FIA offloaded 39 thousand Pakistanis with genuine visas in one year of 2025 only. The blind offloading jeopardised the future of many youngsters who were seeking their jobs or study abroad on valid visa stamped by the concerned embassies. Finally the High Court was moved , that issued directions not to offload the people who have valid visas.
Lets see how this Package of Italy for intending Pakistani job seekers is implemented and how these two ministries do it and also lets see the selection of Pakistanis to avail this opportunity is done on purely merit basis from across the country.
Pakistanis have a saying ; To Say is Easy ! To Implement is Hard. The announcement of thousands of jobs seems Great but Implementation and that on Merit is the Debate
As far as the jobs in the agri market of Italy are concerned, about which the Ambassador spoke highly, the most recent incident in southern Italy is enough to speak a lot about the work conditions there. The owners of farm houses have hired Pakistani and Afghan indirectly through the middle men. These middle men exploit the workers and take their lives even if the rebel against their cruel tactics. In the latest incident, 3 Afghans and one Pakistani were burnt alive in South Italy , not at some deserted place but at a gas station by the middle men.
The Government of Pakistan is supposed to talk on these matters as well when the ministers meet the European officials and remain on submissive mode only. They should assert on the rights of the Pakistani applicants of visas and workers there. It is the least topic that comes under such bilateral discussion. Indiscriminate offloading at airports, delay in preparation of passports, keeping applications in the embassies undecided for many months are the parts of exploitation of Pakistani genuine visa seekers for employment or study abroad.
The celebration of Italy day was attended by the Chairman Senate of Pakistan, Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani as well , who extended congratulations and best wishes to the Government of Italy, the Italian Parliament, and the people of Italy on the occasion of the 80th National Day of the Italian Republic celebrated at Serena Hotel Islamabad.
In his special message, the Chairman Senate stated that Pakistan greatly values its longstanding, friendly, and mutually respectful relations with Italy and remains committed to further strengthening bilateral cooperation in areas of shared interest.
State Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervez Malik was mainly the chief guest but Chairman Senate the fourth in Protocol of Pakistan and Federal Ministers of Defence, Railway also spared time to be with the embassy at the occasion.
Chairman Senate in his message, he noted that Italy has made significant contributions toward the promotion of democracy, the advancement of human rights, the rule of law, social progress, and international cooperation. Pakistan acknowledges and appreciates Italy’s constructive efforts in promoting these universal values and extending opportunities for inclusive development.
Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani emphasized that Pakistan and Italy enjoy strong and enduring relations built upon mutual trust, respect, and common interests. Over the years, cooperation between the two countries has continued to expand across trade, investment, education, culture, development partnership, environmental protection, and parliamentary diplomacy, delivering meaningful benefits to the people of both nations.
70 year Partnership between Pakistan and Italy on Archeology in Swat KPK
He also paid tribute to the Pakistani community residing in Italy for serving as an important bridge between the two countries through their hard work, dedication, and positive contribution toward strengthening people-to-people contacts and mutual understanding.
The Chairman Senate further highlighted the valuable partnership between Pakistan and Italy in the fields of archaeology, preservation of cultural heritage, and academic cooperation. He particularly appreciated Italy’s contribution to the research, conservation, and restoration of Pakistan’s historical heritage, especially the Gandhara civilization and archaeological sites in Swat.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to deepening bilateral engagement, Chairman Senate stated that parliamentary exchanges, economic partnership, cultural collaboration, and people-to-people connectivity between Pakistan and Italy would continue to grow in the years ahead.
He expressed confidence that both countries, through joint efforts and shared values, would continue to contribute toward peace, prosperity, sustainable development, and enhanced international cooperation.
Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik said Pakistan highly valued its relations with Italy and looked forward to expanding cooperation in diverse sectors. He thanked the Italian government for its continued support and praised the strong partnership between the two nations.
The minister highlighted a major development in bilateral cooperation, announcing that Italy had allocated 10,500 worker visas and 3,200 student visas for Pakistani nationals, opening new avenues for legal migration, employment and educational opportunities.
Ambassador Marilina Armellin said Italy was celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Republic, commemorating the historic referendum of June 2, 1946, through which Italians chose a republican form of government. She noted that it was also the first national election in which Italian women were granted the right to vote.
The ambassador said she was proud to be the first woman appointed as Italy’s ambassador to Pakistan since Italy recognised Pakistan soon after its independence and established formal diplomatic relations in 1948.
Pakistan and Italy had developed a broad-based partnership encompassing migration, trade, culture, science, development cooperation, defence, security and multilateral diplomacy. Pakistan is an indispensable partner for regional stability and Italy appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to act as an honest broker in regional affairs, including facilitating dialogue between the United States and Iran.
Ambassador Armellin expressed confidence that the strong foundations of bilateral cooperation would continue to grow. “Pakistan and Italy share a relationship based on mutual respect, common values and a commitment to building a more prosperous future for our peoples,” she said.
In a symbolic gesture reflecting the growing importance of agricultural cooperation, particularly in the olive sector, each guest was presented with a bottle of Italian olive oil as a commemorative gift at the conclusion of the reception.
She said Italy hosts the largest Pakistani-origin community within the European Union and recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Migration and Labour Mobility with Pakistan.
The ambassador said the opening of the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) office in Islamabad in 2023 further strengthened commercial ties and encouraged greater business interaction between the two countries. She urged Pakistani companies to participate more actively in Italian trade exhibitions and noted growing interest among Italian businesses in Pakistan’s manufacturing, agribusiness, renewable energy and hospitality sectors.
She also highlighted Italy’s support for Pakistani students, noting that Italian universities offer affordable tuition, scholarships and internationally recognised programmes in engineering, architecture, design and agriculture.
Ambassador Armellin recalled Italy’s longstanding contribution to preserving Pakistan’s archaeological heritage, particularly through the Italian Archaeological Mission in Swat, founded by renowned scholar Giuseppe Tucci in 1955. She praised decades of collaboration in preserving Gandharan civilisation and other historic sites across Pakistan.
The ambassador further outlined Italy’s development cooperation portfolio in Pakistan, which currently includes 17 projects worth approximately €169.5 million focusing on climate resilience, renewable energy, water management, disaster risk reduction and sustainable economic growth.
She highlighted the success of the “Scale-Up Olive Culture” programme, which has helped expand olive cultivation across Pakistan and contributed to the country’s first National Olive Policy. She also pointed to Italy’s support for climate action initiatives, including environmentally friendly brick kiln technologies and sustainable agricultural development.
