ISLAMABAD: Italy has officialized a special quota of 10,500 jobs for Pakistani workers spanning the next three years, alongside issuing over 3,200 student visas for the 2025–26 academic year. Outgoing Italian Ambassador Marilina Armellin announced these landmark developments during the 80th Italian National Day and Republic Day celebrations held in Islamabad.

Speaking at the reception, which was attended by Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani and Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, Ambassador Armellin highlighted the construction of Italy’s new diplomatic compound in Islamabad as a lasting symbol of growing bilateral trust. She noted that migration remains a pivotal pillar of cooperation, given that Italy hosts the largest Pakistani diaspora within the European Union. The newly implemented bilateral migration memorandum has successfully streamlined consular procedures and introduced pre-departure training programs to enhance workers’ skills and ensure legal pathways.

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Chairman Senate Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthening Pakistan–Italy Relations

Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening its longstanding and friendly relations with Italy during an informal… pic.twitter.com/rPHPGuwFhq

— ᴏꜰꜰɪᴄᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴀɪʀᴍᴀɴ ꜱᴇɴᴀᴛᴇ, ᴘᴀᴋɪꜱᴛᴀɴ (@OfficeSenate) June 3, 2026

Academic linkages are experiencing rapid expansion, with Italian authorities processing more than 3,200 visas for Pakistani students entering undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs for the 2025–26 cycle. On the economic front, Pakistan’s recent financial developments have generated strong interest among Italian corporations. This commercial momentum was evident at a recent ambassadors’ conference in Milan, resulting in newly signed contracts within the defense and technology sectors, alongside active climate resilience and agricultural partnerships in Sindh.

The ambassador highly praised Islamabad’s constructive diplomatic interventions for peace in the Middle East, noting that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni publicly backed Pakistan’s peace initiatives. A major Italian newspaper even highlighted this geopolitical role under the headline “Islamabada Caput Mundi” (Islamabad, Capital of the World). Marking the 80th anniversary of the Italian Republic—which historically coincided with women’s suffrage in Italy—the event featured an exhibition celebrating influential women and showcased artwork by Federica Fontana, an Italian artist residing in Pakistan.