Islamabad (TDI): Chairman of Pakistan’s Youth Program, Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, met with Italian Ambassador to Pakistan, Marlena Armellini, to advance cooperation in trade, education, and, most notably, legal labor mobility between the two countries.
The high-level meeting focused on transforming longstanding friendly relations between Pakistan and Italy into a structured, long-term partnership centered on youth empowerment and economic collaboration.
A key highlight of the discussions was the effective implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on labor mobility.
Rana Mashhood underscored Pakistan’s young and skilled workforce as a valuable asset for Italian industries, stressing the need to ensure transparent, legal, and ethical migration pathways.
He emphasized simplifying and streamlining worker and student visa processes to prevent exploitation by unauthorized agents and to establish a merit-based system.
The Chairman reiterated his commitment to promoting labor mobility under the 4Es framework; Education, Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Engagement, of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program.
Both sides expressed confidence that structured labor cooperation would benefit industries in Italy while creating sustainable employment opportunities for Pakistani youth.
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Education emerged as another major pillar of bilateral engagement. Rana Mashhood described Italy as a key destination for Pakistani students, praising the presence of thousands of students enrolled in Italian institutions and participating in the Erasmus Mundus scholarship program.
He called for expanding higher education collaboration, joint research initiatives, and institutional linkages between universities in both countries.
The meeting also reviewed the role of Italian companies operating in Pakistan, the importance of the Joint Economic Commission, and the Pakistan-Italy Business Forum in strengthening trade and investment ties.
Both sides emphasized enhancing cooperation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to align Pakistani youth skills with international standards and industry demands.
Rana Mashhood further highlighted the significant role of the Pakistani diaspora in Italy as a bridge between the two nations, facilitating people-to-people connections and economic linkages.
The Chairman also thanked Italy for supporting Pakistan’s successful bid for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council and appreciated the close coordination between the two countries on Security Council reform.
Ambassador Armellini commended the Prime Minister’s Youth Program initiatives and welcomed deeper collaboration, particularly in youth development, skills training, and exchange programs.
