Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis & Human Resource Development (OPHRP) Ch Salik Hussain has emphasized the importance of expanding safe, orderly, and regular avenues for migration, highlighting Pakistan’s commitment to ensuring the dignity, development, and well-being of its people.
He was addressing as Chief Guest the thematic meeting of the Budapest Process, marking a significant milestone in Pakistan’s engagement with this international platform.
The event was organized by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development.
While addressing the event Chaudhary Salik Hussain stated, “Today’s thematic focus on legal pathways for migration, a topic of high relevance and priority for our government, is both timely and relevant.”.
As global mobility increases and the demand for labour across various sectors rises, it has become ever more important to expand safe, orderly, and regular avenues for migration.”
It is a pleasure to host this thematic Meeting of the Budapest Process and to mark the meaningful occasion of bringing the Dialogue to Pakistan for the first time in over a decade, he said.
The Budapest Process is an interregional dialogue on migration that began in 1993. It focuses on enhancing migration management and cooperation, particularly in the broader European and Silk Routes regions including Pakistan.
The process involves over 50 governments and 10 international organizations, aiming to develop sustainable systems for orderly migration.
Salik expressed his appreciation for the partnership with the Budapest Process, which brings together countries of origin, transit, and destination in a spirit of shared responsibility. “Pakistan has remained a steadfast partner of the Budapest Process for over two decades, and we value this unique platform,” he said adding “I would like to commend the Budapest Process Secretariat and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) for their continued commitment to building consensus on migration governance through constructive dialogue and cooperation.”
He highlighted the significance of labour mobility for Pakistan’s economy and the wellbeing of its people. “Over 11 million Pakistanis abroad contribute not only to their host economies but also to our national growth through remittances and knowledge exchange,” he stated.
“Our overseas Pakistanis continue to be a vital pillar of national resilience, and we are committed to ensuring that their migration journeys are safe, well-governed, and mutually beneficial.”
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with destination countries and partners. “To this end, Pakistan has developed a robust legal migration framework that facilitates the deployment of our workforce abroad through structured, transparent, and rights-based processes,” Minister Ch. Salik Hussain said. “When managed well, migration benefits all parties, promoting development, economic growth, and shared opportunity.”
Salik also highlighted the importance of the Ministerial Declaration and Call for Action. “The recently adopted Ministerial Declaration and Call for Action, endorsed at the 7th Ministerial Conference in Budapest in November 2024, provides a renewed strategic framework for regional cooperation,” he stated. “Its strong focus on strengthening legal migration and mobility pathways aligns closely with Pakistan’s priorities.”
