ISLAMABAD, Wednesday, May 07, 2025 (WNP): President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday warned that the aggressive policies of the extremist Indian regime had put the peace and stability of the South Asian region at serious risk, stressing that India’s hostile actions could have grave consequences for regional security.
He made these remarks during a meeting with Italian Minister of Interior Matteo Piantedosi, who called on the president at Aiwan-e-Sadr along with his delegation to discuss bilateral cooperation and matters of mutual interest, according to a press release from the President’s Secretariat.
President Zardari briefed the Italian minister on India’s recent unprovoked military aggression against Pakistan, which resulted in the deaths of 26 innocent civilians, including women and children. He underscored Pakistan’s firm response to the attack and reiterated the country’s call for international intervention to prevent further escalation.
Interior Minister Senator Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Minister of State for Interior Senator Muhammad Tallal Chaudhry, and senior government officials were also present during the meeting.
President Zardari said Pakistan deeply valued its longstanding ties with Italy and was committed to strengthening cooperation across a range of sectors. He thanked Minister Piantedosi for visiting Pakistan during a critical time and acknowledged Italy’s support.
The Italian interior minister conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims and assured that he would communicate Pakistan’s concerns to his government and to the wider international community. He reiterated Italy’s commitment to cooperation with Pakistan in areas including counterterrorism and human trafficking.
Minister Piantedosi also praised the Pakistani diaspora in Italy—now over 160,000 strong—for their positive contributions to Italian society and emphasized the potential for greater economic and labor cooperation.
During the visit, President Zardari witnessed the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between Pakistan and Italy aimed at curbing illegal migration and facilitating legal labor mobility. The agreements include provisions for enhanced cooperation on migration management, vocational and language training programs for Pakistani workers, and the establishment of Migrant Resource Centers to support overseas employment.
Speaking at the signing, Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain said the MoUs would provide new employment opportunities for Pakistani workers in Italy and across Europe. He noted that Italy is the first European country to directly sign an MoU with Pakistan for labor recruitment. An annual employment quota will be designated for Pakistanis, and cooperation between relevant institutions will ensure access to modern technical education and training.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also held separate talks with his Italian counterpart, during which he condemned India’s military aggression and highlighted the deliberate targeting of civilian areas in violation of international law. He informed the Italian minister that Pakistan’s armed forces had responded decisively, destroying five Indian fighter jets.
Naqvi stressed that India’s repeated provocations were part of a broader pattern aimed at destabilizing the region and called on the international community to take meaningful steps toward de-escalation.
The two sides agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation in areas such as security, counter-narcotics, anti-trafficking, and the fight against terrorism. A joint working group will be established to develop a coordinated strategy against organized crime and narcotics trafficking.
Minister Piantedosi announced that an Italian delegation would soon visit Pakistan to further discussions on enhancing border security. He also commended Pakistani institutions for their professionalism in combating human trafficking and narcotics.
Minister Naqvi noted that Pakistan had arrested over 3,000 individuals involved in human trafficking and 500 facilitators in the past year alone. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to taking firm action against illegal immigration networks and enhancing international cooperation in law enforcement.
