Islamabad : Pakistan and Poland have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation across multiple sectors, including trade, energy, defense, education, technology, and fintech. This renewed focus on bilateral collaboration was underscored during a joint press briefing between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski in Islamabad on Thursday.
Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the current state of their relations while highlighting the significant untapped potential for further cooperation.
Deputy Prime Minister Dar pointed out that trade between the two countries had already surpassed the one-billion-dollar mark, though he stressed that there was still substantial room for growth. He also announced that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) had been signed to ensure regular bilateral consultations moving forward.
Dar highlighted Poland’s advanced capabilities in the oil and gas sectors, noting that a prominent Polish energy company had already invested around half a billion dollars in Pakistan. He emphasized that such investments could benefit Pakistan’s growing energy needs.
To further institutionalize their partnership, two additional MoUs were signed: one between the respective foreign ministries to establish structured consultations, and another between the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad and the Polish Institute of International Affairs to foster closer collaboration between the two countries’ think tanks.
Recalling historical ties, Minister Dar reflected on the role of Poland during World War II, when thousands of Polish refugees were sheltered in Karachi and Quetta. He particularly honored Polish pilots and engineers, such as Air Commodore Władysław Turowicz, for their crucial contributions to the founding of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).
The Deputy Prime Minister also praised Poland’s economic success, which has transformed it into a trillion-dollar economy, and its recent tenure as President of the Council of the European Union. He thanked Poland for supporting Pakistan’s election to the UN Security Council and sought continued support for the renewal of Pakistan’s GSP Plus status, which is due for review in 2027. Dar described the trade scheme as beneficial to both nations, contributing to sustainable development and poverty reduction.
On regional issues, Dar reiterated Pakistan’s position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, calling for a resolution in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. He also expressed concern about the presence of militant groups in Afghanistan, urging the international community to uphold the principles of multilateralism and the UN Charter.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, speaking at the event, emphasized Poland’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with Pakistan, particularly in trade, public finance, fintech, water management, and energy. He noted that Polish companies had long been involved in Pakistan’s geological sector and saw vast opportunities for further collaboration.
Sikorski also acknowledged the significant role of the Pakistani community in Poland, with around 2,000 people living there, including many students. He described the community as an important bridge between the two nations, though he reiterated Poland’s strict stance against illegal migration while welcoming genuine students and legal migrants.
The Polish Foreign Minister reaffirmed his country’s stance on international issues, particularly regarding Ukraine. He expressed Poland’s firm support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations and advocated for a comprehensive peace in Ukraine based on international law and the UN Charter.
Regarding the Middle East, Sikorski reiterated Poland’s support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, emphasizing that both Palestinians and Israelis deserve to live in peace and dignity.
In response to a question on UN peacekeeping, Sikorski highlighted the long-standing cooperation between Pakistan and Poland in peacekeeping operations, noting that both nations share similar views on global peace and stability.
Looking to the future, both ministers discussed further areas for collaboration, including oil and gas, railways, agriculture, and technology exchange. Minister Dar also expressed shared views with Poland on the importance of reforming the multilateral system to address key issues like Jammu and Kashmir, Gaza, and Palestine.
On the GSP Plus arrangement, Dar reaffirmed that Pakistan had successfully implemented all 27 required conventions, with four reviews completed and the fifth scheduled. He expressed confidence in Pakistan’s readiness for the upcoming review and thanked Poland for its continued support.
The joint discussions highlighted the growing partnership between Pakistan and Poland, with both sides committed to fostering a durable and mutually beneficial relationship.
