Islamabad, August 31, 2026: Acting President Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has called for further strengthening Pakistan-Italy relations, particularly in trade, investment, agriculture, labour mobility and people-to-people exchanges.
Talking to Italian Ambassador Ugo Ciarlatani, who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr, Gilani said Pakistan attached great importance to its longstanding and friendly relations with Italy, rooted in mutual respect and expanding cooperation across diverse areas.
The Acting President expressed confidence that Ambassador Ciarlatani would contribute to further strengthening bilateral relations during his tenure and welcomed his appointment to Islamabad.
Gilani also expressed Pakistan’s readiness to welcome Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs to Pakistan, saying the visit would provide an opportunity to advance bilateral cooperation and explore new areas of partnership.
Highlighting the economic dimension of Pakistan-Italy relations, Gilani said there was considerable potential to expand bilateral trade and investment.
He welcomed the presence of Italian companies in Pakistan and encouraged greater investment by Italian businesses in sectors of mutual interest. He also congratulated Ambassador Ciarlatani on the completion of Italy’s new diplomatic mission in Islamabad.
The Acting President appreciated Italy’s cooperation with Pakistan in technical and vocational education and training, particularly through the Pakistan-Italy Textile Centre in Faisalabad and the Footwear Centre in Lahore.
He also acknowledged bilateral cooperation in scientific and environmental fields and welcomed opportunities available to Pakistani students pursuing education in Italy.
Gilani underscored the importance of the Pakistan-Italy Memorandum of Understanding on workforce, labour migration and mobility in promoting safe, orderly and legal migration between the two countries.
He welcomed Italy’s decision to recruit 10,500 skilled Pakistani workers over the next three years, saying expanded labour mobility would not only create opportunities for Pakistani workers but also further strengthen people-to-people ties between the two countries.
The Acting President also thanked Italy for its support for Pakistan’s election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2025-26 term.
He said Pakistan looked forward to continued coordination with Italy at the United Nations and other multilateral forums on matters of mutual interest.
Ambassador Ugo Ciarlatani, who recently assumed his responsibilities in Islamabad, said further improving bilateral relations and increasing Italian investment in Pakistan would be among his key priorities.
The Italian envoy said he was pleased to begin his diplomatic assignment in Pakistan at a time when the country was playing an important role in promoting regional peace and security.
He highlighted the contribution of the approximately 300,000 people of Pakistani origin living, working and studying in Italy, saying the community was playing an important role in strengthening relations and mutual understanding between the two countries.
The meeting reaffirmed Pakistan and Italy’s shared interest in expanding economic, educational and labour cooperation while further consolidating their longstanding bilateral partnership.
