Islamabad (GNP): Italy has committed to opening 10,500 employment opportunities for Pakistani workers over the next three years under a bilateral labour mobility agreement, while simultaneously expanding academic ties through thousands of university scholarships, the Italian Ambassador to Pakistan announced.
The announcement came at a gala ceremony held in the federal capital to mark Italy’s Republic Day, drawing senior political figures, members of the diplomatic corps, civil society representatives, business leaders, and media, a gathering that reflected the depth of ties between the two nations.
Addressing the event, Italian Ambassador Marilina Armellin noted that this was her third and final Italian National Day in Pakistan, as her tour of duty concludes at the end of June. She reflected warmly on her years in the country, describing the bilateral relationship as one that had grown considerably in substance, ambition, and mutual trust during her tenure.
The Ambassador highlighted labour mobility as a cornerstone of Pakistan-Italy relations, noting that Italy is home to the largest Pakistani diaspora within the European Union. She said both sides had taken concrete steps to improve consular access and streamline procedures for Pakistani nationals, and that implementation of the bilateral migration memorandum signed last year was continuing on track. Under the labour framework, 10,500 Pakistanis are set to gain access to employment in Italy over the coming three years.
On the education front, Armellin announced that 3,200 scholarships had been granted to Pakistani students for the 2025–26 academic year, allowing them to pursue higher education at Italian institutions.
Touching on regional developments, the Ambassador reaffirmed Italy’s backing for Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to encourage dialogue and de-escalation amid tensions involving the United States and Iran, describing Pakistan as a valued partner known for its spirit of friendship and constructive engagement.
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The celebrations marked Italy’s 80th National Day and were hosted by the Italian Embassy. The evening opened with the national anthems of both countries and concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony, where Ambassador Armellin was joined by Federal Minister for Energy Ali Pervaiz Malik, the event’s chief guest, along with a distinguished gathering that included Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, Defence Minister Khwaja Muhammad Asif, Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi.
Speaking as chief guest, Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said Pakistan and Italy share common values and objectives, and noted that the two countries have sustained diplomatic relations for 78 years. He expressed optimism that growing Pakistan-EU strategic engagement would encourage greater Italian investment interest in Pakistan.
