What do Pakistan and Poland share

This blog is going to appear more like an article than anything, but this is a topic which holds massive importance for me and is something that I would like people to know. I would especially like to mention the name of one of my teachers, motivators and mentors here, Sir Mahboob E Siddiqui who himself is a retired officer of Pakistan Air Force and helped me in writing this.

The recent headline “Pakistan’s ‘Killer Mountain’ claims life of Polish climber” has saddened millions of people not only in Pakistan or Poland but across the globe.

The fact that it was Tomasz Mackiewicz’s seventh attempt at Nanga Parbat- the ninth highest peak in the world at 26,660 feet, demonstrates his passion and love for the mountain and for climbing in general. Here is a photo of the the Polish climber Tomek Mackiewicz on Nanga Parbat in Pakistan in 2014.

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Looking at an entire other aspect, this might have been the first time for some Pakistanis to hear about Polish People.

But it should not have been like this because Pakistan and Poland share something more than the “P”s in their names. They share a fragment of history which is not taught about in schools or is not highlighted often; however the immense significance of those events can and should not be denied.

Our ties date back to 1940s. During World War II, more than thirty thousand refugees from Eastern Poland found their new homes in Karachi- which since 1947 is a part of Pakistan. Some of them continued living in Karachi and became the citizens of the new born state. The academics among them joined University of Karachi as members of faculty. Pakistan was also among the first Muslim countries to establish relations with Poland which had a communist government back then.

Furthermore, In 1947 when British were pulling out the new Pakistani government asked the British Air Force Command to point out the most experienced and trusted pilots who would be able to create an air force in Pakistan. The British Air Force Command suggested Polish officers, pilots and Technicians from the RAF (Royal Air Force) that after the World War II were laid off were available and still remained in Britain. Thirty Poles, 17 pilots and 13 technicians choose to join the Royal Pakistan Air Force as a team. They were led by Squadron Leader Władysław Turowicz, a pilot and engineer.

Not only did they help establishing the Pakistan Air Force, which today is recognized as one of the best and most professional worldwide, but they played a crucial role in defending the skies of Lahore during the 1965 Indo-Pak War. Many of them were then given honorary citizenships for their bravery and loyalty to Pakistan.

The most notable however, among them was Turowicz who brought his tremendous skills and knowledge with him. He set up technical institutes in Karachi, and taught at and revitalized the Pakistan Air Force Academy where he also worked as chief scientist. Then, he also served as the chief scientist in Pakistan’s national space agency and also played a vital role in Pakistan’s space and missile program.

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He was awarded numerous civil and military awards for his services. Some also claim that no other foreigner had involved in and influenced on Pakistan’s defence and strategic programs as he did.

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Pakistan’s Polish Patriot died in a car accident in 1980.

The services of his wife should also not be ignored. She taught gliding to Shaheen Air Cadets in Karachi and Rawalpindi, and teached mathematics and particle physics at Karachi University. She too was honoured by Pakistan’s government for her achievements and was awarded the Pride of Performance and Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence- third highest honour and civilian award of Pakistan. )

Poland was also one of the biggest supporters when the deadly earthquake of 2005 hit Pakistan.

During the Pakistan-Poland Bilateral Political Consultations which were held last year, both governments showed their interest and desire to strengthen their ties further in the future.

Here are the sources I used in my research and I would encourage the readers to check them if they want to know more details, especially the article titled Pakistan’s Polish Patriot, which is very interesting.

• (2016, October 2) Pakistan’s Polish Patriot
• (2016, November 6). Poland, Pakistan enjoy historical relations: Piotr Opaliński. Centreline. Poland, Pakistan enjoy historical relations
• (2017, November 7) Pakistan-Poland: President urges increased cooperation
• (2017, October 26) Pakistan-Poland agree to expand cooperation in diverse fields
• (2017, November 7) Parliamentary, economic cooperation to strengthen Pak-Poland relations
• (2011, November 11) Pakistan Air Force was established by Poland
• (2015, November 26) The Polish Godfather Of Pakistan’s Space And Missile Programs
• (2017, October 22) Poland helped Pakistan in building missile programme
• Polish Eaglets Over Pakistan
• Karachi cemetery renovated
• Rescuers in Pakistan call off efforts to save Polish climber

Photo gallery