Over 60 officials from 16 countries and eight international organisations held the Budapest Process Thematic Meeting on Legal Pathways for Migration in Pakistan. The meeting specifically focused on strengthening the existing policies and pathways for legal migration and labour mobility, setting the strategic foundation for the dialogue's work in the coming years.
As global mobility increases and the demand for labour across various sectors rises, it becomes ever more important to expand safe, orderly, and regular avenues for migrationsaid HE Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (MOPHRD)
The meeting on 19-20 June marked a significant milestone in Pakistan’s migration diplomacy and international engagement, advancing its priority goals from the November 2024 Ministerial Conference in Budapest. Co-chaired by Hungary and Pakistan, the event opened with remarks from Ms Dóra Günsberger, Deputy Head of Mission of the Hungarian Embassy in Islamabad, Mr Philipp Gross, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Pakistan, and Marija Rauš, Head of the Budapest Process Secretariat at ICMPD.
Sessions featured government-led initiatives, including Pakistan’s comprehensive approach to legal migration governance through field visit interactions with key institutions like the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE), Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) and the National University of Technology (NUTECH), demonstrating national robust legal migration governance system and skill development programmes. Other initiatives featured were Bangladesh's new National Diaspora Policy and National Reintegration Framework; Italy's revised regulatory quota system and Talent Partnerships; Iraq’s perspective of both a labour-sending and labour-receiving country and their progress on its evolving national labour migration policy, as well as the European Commission's Talent Partnership initiative for gender-responsive mobility.
Key discussions centred on advancing legal pathways and safe migration, exploring ongoing bilateral and regional initiatives, and charting future cooperation throughout diverse perspectives from both labour-sending and destination countries. A key focus was the clear strategic shift from theoretical dialogue to practical implementation. Participants reflected on enhancing institutional cooperation, integrated pre-departure programmes, expanding Talent Partnerships, strengthening public-private partnerships, expanding migration counselling services, and stronger inter-regional dialogues for skills and qualifications recognition.
Participants also advanced actionable recommendations to strengthen safe, orderly, and rights-based labour mobility from Silk Routes countries. This included the role of the growing network of ICMPD’s Migrant Resource Centres (MRCs) in the region, highlighted for its work in raising awareness on safe and legal pathways for migration; while helping reduce irregular migration flows through reliable information, counselling and support services.
The progress we have shared demonstrates what is possible when nations unite behind a shared vision for safe, orderly, and rights-based migration. The road ahead is filled with both challenges and opportunities. But I am confident through the Budapest Process framework and our strengthened partnerships, we will turn policy into meaningful action, transform challenges into solutions, and convert our shared knowledge into tangible benefits for migrants and nations alikesaid Mr Nadeem Aslam Chaudhary, Federal Secretary for the MOPHRD
The meeting concluded with a discussion on future cooperation on initiatives on legal pathways for migration. There was a strong consensus on the imperative to scale up migration frameworks, and advocate for the transition of successful pilot projects into sustainable institutional models. Building on this momentum, Pakistan has proposed to host the next Budapest Process meeting, signalling its continued commitment to leading regional migration dialogues and turning vision into sustained, collective action.
The Thematic Meeting in Islamabad reinforced the critical role of the Budapest Process as a vital platform for intergovernmental dialogue. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, it fostered robust collaboration and facilitated the sharing of best practices essential for addressing complex migration challenges. Participants highlighted the shared responsibility inherent in managing migration through mutually beneficial legal channels and emphasised the critical importance of creating enabling environments for effective labour migration cooperation.
From left to right: Ms Dora Gunsberger, DHoM Hungarian Embassy in Islamabad, Ms Marija Raus, Head BP Secretariat, H.E. Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Federal Minister for Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Mr. Nadeem Aslam Chaudhary, Federal Secretary MOPHRD