Gilani urges Parliament’s lead role in migration policy and migrants’ protection

ISLAMABAD, Sept 15, 2026: Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday called for enhanced parliamentary coordination, evidence-based legislation and sustained institutional dialogue to ensure safe, orderly and regular migration while protecting the rights, dignity and legitimate interests of Pakistani migrants.

He expressed these views while addressing the First Parliamentary Dialogue on Migration Governance in Pakistan at the Senate Banquet Hall. The Senate chairman welcomed International Organization for Migration (IOM) Chief of Mission Ms Mio Sato and appreciated the organisation’s continued partnership with the Parliament of Pakistan for strengthening migration governance.

Gilani also commended the Office of Special Initiatives and Parliamentary Development Unit of the Senate Secretariat for arranging the parliamentary initiative.

The Senate chairman said migration was a multidimensional matter linked with employment, economic opportunities, human development, security and regional cooperation. He said the issue should not be looked at only from a security perspective, but dealt with through a humane, balanced, evidence-based and development-oriented approach.

He underlined the need to protect migrant workers, promote safe and legal migration pathways, ensure ethical recruitment, facilitate remittances and protect Pakistanis living abroad from racism, Islamophobia and xenophobia.

Gilani also drew attention to the growing link between climate change and migration, saying climate-induced displacement was becoming an increasingly serious challenge for Pakistan. He called for predictable, accessible and adequate international climate finance, particularly grants, to improve climate resilience, protect vulnerable communities and reduce the risk of forced displacement.

Referring to Pakistan’s humanitarian role over several decades, the Senate chairman said the country had hosted millions of Afghan refugees and provided them access to essential facilities and livelihood opportunities. He said Pakistan had also rendered significant sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and continued to play a constructive role in promoting regional and global peace.

Gilani stressed the need for bipartisan parliamentary consensus on migration governance, saying the matter was above political affiliations and directly affected families and communities across the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Mio Sato highlighted Pakistan’s position as a country of origin, transit and destination, and emphasised the importance of international cooperation as well as practical national-level action on migration governance.

Ms Rida Qazi, Adviser to the Senate Chairman on Special Initiatives and PDU, said the dialogue would help strengthen Parliament’s capacity for effective legislative action and oversight of migration governance.

Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Musadik Masood Malik highlighted the impact of climate change, including floods and rising temperatures, which had displaced millions of Pakistanis.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi called for strong policies, reliable data and effective coordination to ensure dignified solutions for migrants and host communities.

Professor Yaqoob Khan Bangash of IBA Karachi presented an overview of Pakistan’s migration profile, highlighting the country’s role as a country of origin, host and transit, and outlined priorities for stronger legislative oversight.

A panel discussion, featuring Syed Ali Kasim Gilani, MNA; Senator Agha Shahzaib Durrani; Romina Khurshid Alam, MNA; Professor Yaqoob Khan Bangash; and Ms Mio Sato, reviewed progress, gaps and priorities in Pakistan’s migration governance, with particular focus on strengthening Parliament’s role.

Earlier, Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani met IOM Chief of Mission Ms Mio Sato, who called on him at Parliament House, Islamabad.

During the meeting, Gilani appreciated the continued cooperation between the Parliament of Pakistan and IOM and commended capacity-building initiatives, particularly the Parliamentary Dialogue on Migration Governance and training under the Essentials of Migration Management (EMM 2.0).

Emphasising people-to-people contacts and parliamentary diplomacy, he said Parliamentary Friendship Groups were playing an important role in strengthening bilateral relations and promoting better understanding among nations.

The meeting was attended by MNA Romina Khurshid Alam, Senate Secretary Syed Hasnain Haider, Adviser to the Senate Chairman for Special Initiatives and Project Development Unit Ms Rida Qazi, and Principal Secretary to the Senate Chairman Rabia Anwar.