Pakistan

By Sajjad Azhar:
Islamabad/Rome:
In what is being described as a positive development for overseas employment, Italy has agreed to issue 10,500 work visas to Pakistani nationals. The announcement followed a meeting between Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Italian counterpart Matteo Piantedosi.
According to a press statement issued by Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior, the initiative aims to promote legal pathways for skilled Pakistani workers while discouraging irregular migration. The development comes amid growing concerns over human smuggling networks and the tragic deaths of migrants attempting to reach European shores through dangerous sea routes.
The Italian side is understood to expect stronger cooperation from Pakistan in curbing illegal migration in return for expanding lawful employment opportunities.
Pakistan’s Overseas Employment Landscape
Pakistan’s overseas employment sector plays a crucial role in the national economy. According to the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment, nearly 14.8 million Pakistanis have gone abroad for work since 1971. The majority have been absorbed by Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
In Europe, the United Kingdom remains the leading destination for Pakistani workers, followed by Italy and Greece. Official data indicates that over 32,000 Pakistanis have moved to Italy for employment over the years.
The State Bank of Pakistan reported that overseas Pakistanis remitted approximately $38 billion during the fiscal year 2025, with projections suggesting remittances may reach $41 billion by the close of the current fiscal year.
Not the First Announcement
This is not the first time Italy has committed to offering work visas to Pakistanis. In May last year, during a visit to Islamabad, the Italian Interior Minister signed a memorandum of understanding providing for 3,500 annual work visas for three years.
Similarly, earlier diplomatic engagements saw Belarus offering up to 150,000 work visas to Pakistanis. However, questions remain about the pace of implementation of such agreements.
Structural Bottlenecks Remain
Despite the encouraging announcements, stakeholders in Pakistan’s overseas employment sector point to structural challenges. Former Chairman of the Overseas Employment Promoters Association, Sarfraz Zahoor Cheema, told London Post that while European demand exists in countries such as Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, Portugal, and Poland, bureaucratic complexities in Pakistan continue to hinder progress.
He noted that one of the primary issues is delays in visa interview appointments at European embassies, forcing many applicants to rely on agents who charge exorbitant fees. Additionally, concerns over offloading of passengers at airports under anti-smuggling measures have reportedly created uncertainty among foreign employers.
Cheema added that approximately 70,000 skilled and semi-skilled workers leave Pakistan every month, with nearly 70 percent heading to Saudi Arabia.
Legal Migration vs. Ground Realities
While the Italian announcement has been welcomed as a diplomatic success, experts caution that translating agreements into actual departures will require streamlined procedures, transparent recruitment mechanisms, and better coordination between government institutions.
For thousands of young Pakistanis seeking better economic prospects abroad, the promise of 10,500 Italian work visas offers hope — but whether this opportunity materialises smoothly remains to be seen.

Sajjad Azhar:
Islamabad:
In a significant step towards promoting public health and community welfare, Al-Mustafa Welfare Trust (AMWT) has installed a state-of-the-art Clean Drinking Water Purification Plant at the Islamabad Judicial Complex, ensuring access to safe and healthy drinking water for hundreds of daily visitors.
Located in G-11/4, the Judicial Complex witnesses a daily influx of underprivileged individuals from various cities who come to attend court hearings and pursue legal matters. Many of these visitors face considerable hardships during their visits, including limited access to safe, bacteria-free drinking water — particularly chilled water during the intense summer months.
Recognising this pressing need, AMWT, with the generous support of a donor, established the modern purification facility to provide clean, filtered drinking water free of cost.
The project was formally inaugurated by His Lordship Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar, Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court. The inauguration ceremony was attended by distinguished District Judges, members of the legal fraternity, and numerous litigants present at the complex.
AMWT was represented at the occasion by Trustee Sajjad Azhar, Advisor Dr. Amjad Raja, and Syed Farrukh Zafar, along with their dedicated team.
Speaking at the ceremony, officials emphasised that access to clean drinking water is a fundamental necessity and that such initiatives reflect AMWT’s continued commitment to serving humanity and supporting vulnerable communities across Pakistan.
This latest project further strengthens AMWT’s mission to ensure that essential services and basic facilities remain accessible to all, regardless of social or economic status.

Nawaz Kharal:
Lahore:
With the support of donors from the British Pakistani community, Al Mustafa Pakistan successfully held a Free Eye Camp at Government College University (GCU), Lahore, one of South Asia’s most prestigious educational institutions. The initiative provided vital eye care services to students, faculty, and university staff.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Managing Director of Al Mustafa Pakistan, Ms. Nusrat Saleem, University Registrar Dr. Shaukat Ali, MS Al Mustafa Eye Hospital Dr. Khalid bin Aslam, Dr. Naeem Anwar Naumani, Muhammad Nawaz Kharral, and Ali Raza Kazmi, President of the University’s Al-Falah Society.
During the camp, a large number of students, faculty members, security personnel, and other staff received consultations, screenings, and corrective care. The event highlighted the growing role of overseas donors, particularly from the United Kingdom, in supporting sustainable healthcare initiatives in Pakistan.
Ms. Nusrat Saleem emphasised the importance of combining professional medical services with humanitarian outreach. “Through initiatives like this, we ensure that quality healthcare reaches everyone — from students in leading universities to underserved communities — thanks to the generosity of international supporters,” she said.
The camp exemplifies how diaspora-funded initiatives can create lasting impact, improving access to preventive healthcare while fostering community well-being and empowerment across Pakistan.

Bureau Report:
Lahore:
Renowned philanthropist and social activist Nina Mashriqi from Manchester, UK, granddaughter of the eminent mathematician and Khaksar Movement founder Allama Inayatullah Mashriqi, visited key welfare projects of Al Mustafa Pakistan in Lahore, including Al Mustafa Eye Hospital, Al Mustafa Dastarkhwan, and the Trust’s Head Office.
During the visit, Managing Director of Al Mustafa Pakistan, Ms. Nusrat Saleem, and MS Al Mustafa Eye Hospital, Dr. Khalid bin Aslam, provided Ms. Mashriqi with detailed briefings on the organisation’s ongoing humanitarian programmes, medical services, and community outreach initiatives.
Impressed by the scale and professionalism of the projects, Ms. Mashriqi praised Al Mustafa Welfare Trust’s systematic approach to serving humanity. She described the Trust’s mission as “highly commendable” and expressed her commitment to supporting its future initiatives.
Officials noted that the visit not only reflected confidence in the Trust’s work but also marked a positive step toward fostering international collaboration and expanding the scope of social welfare initiatives in Pakistan.

Bureau Report:
Lahore:
In a city where access to safe drinking water remains a challenge for many low-income communities, a new water filtration plant in Al Mustafa Town is offering more than convenience — it is restoring dignity and improving public health.
The facility, inaugurated by former Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court Muhammad Qasim Khan, has been installed at Punjab House under the auspices of Al Mustafa Welfare Trust.
Speaking at the ceremony, Justice (R) Qasim Khan emphasized that clean water is a basic right and applauded the Trust’s proactive approach. Managing Director Al Mustafa Pakistan, Ms. Nusrat Saleem, noted that the initiative is part of a broader mission to deliver sustainable welfare services.
“Access to clean water is not a privilege but a necessity. This plant will directly impact the health and well-being of families in this community,” she said.
Residents and community leaders welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely and essential amid growing concerns over water quality in urban neighbourhoods.

Nawaz Kharal:
Lahore:
Rows of neatly arranged meal trays and the steady flow of deserving individuals at Al Mustafa Dastarkhwan offered a powerful image of community service in action during a recent visit by two US-based donors.
Muhammad Munir Ahmed and Syed Safdar Ali Shah were guided through the facility by Dastarkhwan In-Charge Chaudhry Akbar, who explained how hundreds of meals are served regularly to those in need.
The delegation also visited the Trust’s Eye Hospital, where free and subsidised eye care services are provided, and the Head Office, where welfare operations are coordinated.
Impressed by the scale of services, the donors described the welfare initiatives as “commendable and impactful,” expressing satisfaction at seeing their contributions translate into tangible community benefit.

Bureau Report:
Okara:
Supported by donors from the British Pakistani community, Al Mustafa Pakistan has successfully conducted a four-day free eye camp in rural Okara, restoring sight to hundreds of underprivileged patients and reinforcing the growing impact of diaspora-funded healthcare initiatives.
Held at BHU Lasharian, Tehsil Lasharian, from 8 to 11 February 2026, the camp delivered comprehensive eye care services to communities with limited access to specialist treatment. According to organisers, the initiative achieved:
295 successful cataract surgeries (145 women and 150 men)
1,624 OPD examinations (849 women and 775 men)
763 pairs of spectacles distributed to deserving patients
Medical teams provided free consultations, surgeries, and follow-up care, ensuring that patients received complete treatment without financial burden.
Officials said the project was made possible through the continued support of overseas donors, particularly from the United Kingdom, who remain actively engaged in funding sustainable healthcare programmes across Pakistan.
For many beneficiaries, the camp meant far more than medical treatment — it marked the return of independence, mobility, and dignity after years of living in darkness due to untreated cataracts.
Al Mustafa Pakistan stated that such initiatives reflect the powerful partnership between local healthcare teams and the global Pakistani diaspora, demonstrating how cross-border philanthropy can transform lives in underserved rural communities.
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to expanding similar outreach programmes, ensuring that access to vision care — and the hope it brings — reaches every individual in need.

Nawaz Kharal:
Lahore:
For thousands of children across Pakistan, the classroom is where dreams take shape—but for many, poor eyesight turns learning into a daily struggle. Words on the board can blur, lessons can fade, and children can be unfairly labelled as “slow” when all they need is a simple eye check.
Al Mustafa Pakistan is addressing this hidden barrier by providing professional eye exams, corrective glasses, and life-changing referrals for children who would otherwise go untested. The initiative ensures that every child has the opportunity to learn without limitations and regain confidence in their abilities. Officials emphasise that these eye camps are more than medical interventions—they are an investment in education, self-esteem, and a child’s future. “Your donation doesn’t just provide an eye exam. It protects learning, confidence, and opportunity,” they said. The programme has already transformed the lives of countless students, allowing them to fully participate in school, excel academically, and pursue their ambitions without visual constraints. Al Mustafa Pakistan calls on supporters, particularly from the international community and the UK diaspora, to contribute to this initiative and help bring sight and opportunity to every child in need.

Bureau Report:
Muzaffargarh: 
In response to the devastating floods of 2025, Al Mustafa Pakistan has launched the “Rebuild Pakistan” initiative in Tehsil Ali Pur, District Muzaffargarh, aimed at providing safe, dignified housing to displaced families.
The project focuses on rebuilding homes that meet modern living standards, with each unit featuring separate kitchens and bathrooms to ensure hygiene, privacy, and safety for residents. Alongside residential units, mosques are being constructed to restore the spiritual and communal life of affected communities.
Officials from Al Mustafa Pakistan emphasised that the initiative goes beyond bricks and mortar. “This project is about restoring hope, stability, and a secure future for families who lost everything in the floods,” they said.
The humanitarian project has received support from local and international donors, particularly from the UK-based Pakistani diaspora, who are actively contributing to the reconstruction efforts.
Al Mustafa Pakistan called on the wider community to participate in this life-changing work. “Your support can help complete more homes and reach more families in need. Together, we can rebuild lives,” the organisation stated.
Through “Rebuild Pakistan”, Al Mustafa Pakistan demonstrates a holistic approach to disaster relief, combining safe housing, spiritual restoration, and community empowerment for Pakistan’s most vulnerable families.