Pakistan and Italy agreed on Friday to sign an agreement to prevent the illegal entry of Pakistanis into Italy and to enhance cooperation.

The consensus was reached during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Italian Ambassador to Pakistan Mirelena Armellini in Islamabad.

Bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest were discussed during the meeting. The interior minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to combat human trafficking, stating that a “zero-tolerance policy has been adopted” against human smuggling mafias.

He emphasised that those involved in human trafficking would not only face imprisonment but also financial penalties. Naqvi stated that skilled Pakistani workers would be sent to Italy through legal channels, who will contribute to the remittances.

The minister directed the authorities concerned to finalise the anti-human trafficking agreement at the earliest.

The Italian ambassador appreciated the interior minister’s efforts to combat human trafficking and assured full cooperation. The proposal to declare Milan and Islamabad as sister cities was also discussed during the meeting.

Naqvi congratulated the Italian ambassador on her appointment and expressed good wishes for her tenure.