October 22 , 2017
News
Poland ambassador lauds Pakistan’s role in tackling terrorism
APP
ISLAMABAD: Poland Ambassador Piotr A. Opalinski paid glowing tribute to Pakistan government for offering sacrifices in fighting terrorism and achieving success in its pursuits. “Pakistan is doing great job of fighting terrorism and we greatly appreciate and recognize its endeavours”, he said. He was addressing a meeting of the English Speaking Union (ESU) of Pakistan Islamabad as chief guest, held at residence of the union’s president Khalid Malik. Fauzia Naseem, former Austria high commissioner who also served as Pakistan’s Ambassador to Poland, hosted the event. The ambassador, who served in the Polish Consulate in Karachi from 1999 to 2005, expressed his views with devotion and passion about the warmth and hospitality of the Pakistani people.
Opalinski said diplomacy should work two ways and asserted that he was not only promoting Poland in Pakistan but Pakistan in Poland as well. He said once in a function he accidentally said “I am Ambassador of Pakistan”, which wasn’t entirely false as he acted as Pakistan’s ambassador when in Poland. Referring to the 70 Polish pilots, engineers and technicians who came to Pakistan at the time of independence to train Pakistani pilots and carry out necessary plane repairs, he said Poland was proud of those heroes who trained Pakistan Air Force.
Some of them were married and settled in Pakistan, he said. One of those became Chaklala Airbase commander and retired as Pakistan Air Force wing commander, he added. He also mentioned their contributions in Pakistan’s missile and nuclear technology. He said he was working to promote and preserve such historical contributions and strengthen Pak-Polish friendly relations, besides further developing relations in defence the sector as a priority. He also deliberated on bilateral relations in different sectors and said that one Polish firm was already working for gas exploration and production in Sindh. He said, “Poland has 100 years of experience in coal mining and has evolved into the most modern mining industry from which Pakistan can benefit especially in Balochistan and Sindh.We are going to offer our cooperation to Pakistan in this regard”, he said. Speaking about his priorities, he informed the gathering his wife was making a documentary film, “Our heroes” based on the Polish Air Force officers who served in Pakistan at the time of its inception on the call of Pakistani prime minister. Secondly, he said he was working to promote cricket in his home country besides popularising Pakistani cuisine in Poland. Two restaurants offering Punjabi and Mughal cuisines had already opened in Poland’s capital, he said.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk