Pakistan, Italy vow to boost trade, investment and labour mobility

August 31, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan and Italy reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in trade, investment, agriculture, labour mobility and people-to-people exchanges, as Acting President Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani called for expanded cooperation while receiving Italian Ambassador Ugo Ciarlatani, who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said Pakistan attaches great importance to its longstanding and friendly relations with Italy, based on mutual respect and expanding cooperation in diverse fields, and expressed confidence that Ambassador Ciarlatani would contribute to further strengthening bilateral relations during his tenure.

He said Pakistan looks forward to welcoming Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, noting that the visit would provide opportunities to further advance bilateral cooperation, said a press release issued.

Highlighting the economic relationship, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said considerable potential exists for expanding bilateral trade and investment, welcomed the presence of Italian companies in Pakistan, and encouraged greater Italian investment in areas of mutual interest.

He also congratulated Ambassador Ciarlatani on the completion of Italy's new diplomatic mission in Islamabad.

Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani acknowledged Italy's cooperation in technical and vocational fields, including the Pakistan-Italy Textile Centre in Faisalabad and the Footwear Centre in Lahore, as well as cooperation in scientific and environmental fields.

He welcomed the educational opportunities available to Pakistani students in Italy and highlighted the importance of the Pakistan-Italy MoU on workforce, labour migration and mobility in facilitating safe, orderly and legal migration, also welcoming the recruitment of 10,500 skilled workers from Pakistan by Italy over the next three years, saying labour mobility would further strengthen people-to-people ties.

He thanked Italy for its support for Pakistan's election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2025-26 term and looked forward to continued coordination with Italy at the UN and other multilateral fora.

Ambassador Ciarlatani, who recently assumed his responsibilities in Islamabad, said his priorities during his tenure would be to further improve bilateral relations and increase Italian investment in Pakistan.

He said he was pleased to take up his assignment at a time when Pakistan is playing an important role in promoting regional security and peace, noting that around 300,000 people of Pakistani origin are living, working and studying in Italy and contributing to stronger relations between the two countries.

Copyright Mettis Link News