The European Union and Pakistan have recently agreed upon a readmission agreement aimed at facilitating the return of Pakistani nationals who have illegally entered the EU. The agreement, which was signed on June 25, 2019, establishes the procedures for the safe and orderly return of Pakistani citizens who do not have valid immigration documents.

The readmission agreement is the outcome of negotiations that have been taking place between the EU and Pakistan since 2009. The negotiations were initiated as part of the EU`s efforts to improve its migration management and address the issue of illegal immigration. Pakistan is the 23rd country with which the EU has signed such an agreement.

Under the agreement, Pakistan will receive assistance from the EU in establishing the necessary infrastructure and procedures for the identification and return of its citizens. The EU also committed to providing technical and financial support to Pakistan for capacity building and training in border management, migration, and asylum issues.

The EU-Pakistan readmission agreement provides for the return of Pakistani nationals who have been illegally residing in any EU member state for a period of up to one year. The agreement also covers those who have been denied entry, have overstayed their visas, or have violated any conditions of their stay in the EU.

The readmission process will be initiated by the EU member state where the Pakistani national was apprehended. The member state will inform Pakistan of the individual`s identity and provide any relevant information, such as travel documents and other identification papers. Pakistan will then verify the information and issue travel documents, if required, to facilitate the return of its citizens.

While the readmission agreement is primarily aimed at facilitating the return of illegal immigrants, it also has implications for legal migration and mobility between Pakistan and the EU. The agreement includes provisions for facilitating the issuance of visas, the re-admission of third-country nationals, and the exchange of information on migration and mobility-related issues.

Overall, the EU-Pakistan readmission agreement represents a significant step forward in the EU`s efforts to manage migration and strengthen its relationships with partner countries. The agreement not only helps address the issue of illegal immigration, but also provides opportunities for enhanced cooperation and engagement between the EU and Pakistan on other migration-related issues.