WARSAW: Federal Minister for Defence, Khurram Dastgir Khan is visiting Poland on the invitation of the minister of Poland’s National Defence. He was received by senior Polish military officials and the ambassador of Pakistan in Warsaw.
On his arrival at the Polish Ministry of National Defence, Dastgir was received by the Polish defence minister. National anthems of the two countries were played and the defence minister was presented with a Guard of Honour by a tri-services contingent of the Polish Armed Forces (PAF).
The two ministers held a restricted one on one meeting followed by full delegation level talks. The discussions continued over the official lunch hosted by the Polish defence minister.
The two sides reviewed the existing defence cooperation between Pakistan and Poland and discussed various ideas to further promote these relations. They also exchanged views on the security situation in their respective regions and important global issues.
Mr Blaszczak while welcoming Dastgir warmly recalled that Karachi played host to 30,000 Polish refugees during 1942-45. He underlined the importance Poland attached to the relations with Pakistan and his country’s interest in the further promotion of these relations including the field of defence.
Minister Dastgir also mentioned the role played by Polish pilots in the development of Pakistan Air Force (PAF). He particularly highlighted the contribution of Mr Turowicz who went on to become an Air Commodore (AC) in the PAF and was later instrumental in setting up Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO).
The minister said that the signing of the Defence Cooperation Agreement and the growing defence cooperation were a tribute to the memory of AC Turowicz and invited Mariusz Blaszczak to visit Pakistan at mutually convenient dates.
Dastgir also briefed the Polish side on positive developments in Pakistan including economic growth, democratic consolidation and success in counter-terrorism. He explained in detail Pakistan’s security perspective, as well as, its efforts to promote peace and stability in Afghanistan and the wider region.
He then laid a wreath at the tomb of an unknown soldier and concluded his trip with a visit to the Warsaw Uprising Museum.
