Speaking to journalists in Lisbon, as part of a round table discussion on “Challenges for the Integration of the Pakistani Community in Portugal”, the number two at the Pakistani Embassy, ​​Malik Umair Khan, stated that his compatriots are "not involved in any criminality and are an active part of the local community".

“We have Pakistanis who have lived in Portugal for a long time” and, “in recent times, we have seen many more arrive who are a functional part of the Portuguese community”, said the embassy secretary and head of the chancellery.

Regarding complaints regarding racism or discrimination, the diplomat admitted that, “sometimes there may not be good experiences”, but “this cannot be generalised for all Portuguese people”.

Currently, there are around 30,000 Pakistanis in Portugal, a number that has increased significantly in recent years, through the use of expressions of interest, a legal instrument that allowed a foreigner to begin the process of regularization as an immigrant as long as they had 12 months of contributions, even if they had entered with a tourist visa.

In June of last year, the Portuguese Government revoked this resource and now any initiation of labour proceedings must be requested at the Portuguese embassy in the country of origin, something that is not always easy due to a lack of human resources in Portuguese diplomacy.

“It is the government’s prerogative to define its laws,” especially with regard to immigration, the diplomat said, commenting on the end of expressions of interest.

“People were using the expressions of interest. If it is not in force now, they are not using it,” he said, admitting that the Portuguese embassy had some problems meeting the demand.

The embassy “needed to be reinforced,” he added, considering that many Pakistanis in Portugal want to stay in the country, after having residence permits.

“As the community stays longer, it becomes more integrated and gets to know the Portuguese people and their culture better,” he added.

In turn, Cristina Casas, director of the Migrant Integration Department of the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA), stated that the institution is “working to ensure better conditions” for immigrants and listed some of the institution's main projects.

Faced with complaints regarding delays in regularisation processes, Cristina Casas admitted problems and that “there are delays in responses”.

“We are aware of the problems and concerned about solving them,” he said, admitting that the merger of the High Commissioner for Migration and the Foreigners and Borders Service, which gave rise to AIMA on October 29, 2023, was a “somewhat lengthy process and the house is being reorganised.”

“We are very committed to integration on the one hand and regularisation on the other,” she said, highlighting AIMA’s efforts to promote Portuguese language teaching.

“We have experienced many problems in public services with the language issue” and knowing Portuguese “also facilitates professional integration”, she added.