Pakistan, Poland agree to boost bilateral cooperation in diverse sectors

Islamabad (Web Desk): Pakistan and Poland have renewed their resolve to enhance collaboration in a wide range of sectors, including trade, energy, defence, education, technology, and fintech.

The understanding was reached during a joint press stakeout between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski in Islamabad on Thursday.

Both ministers expressed satisfaction with the current state of bilateral ties and underlined the importance of exploring the vast untapped potential for cooperation in multiple domains.

DPM Dar noted that trade between the two countries had already crossed the one-billion-dollar mark but emphasized that there was still immense room for expansion.

He said that the two sides had just signed a memorandum of understanding to hold regular bilateral consultations in the future.

The deputy prime minister highlighted Poland’s advanced oil and gas capabilities, which he said could greatly benefit Pakistan, adding that a major Polish energy firm had already invested around half a billion dollars in the country.

To strengthen institutional dialogue, Dar said two separate Memorandums of Understanding (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 deepen cooperation between their think tanks.

Recalling the deep-rooted ties between the two nations, FM Dar referred to the time during World War II when thousands of Polish refugees were sheltered in Karachi and Quetta. He paid special tribute to Polish pilots and engineers, particularly Air Commodore Wladyslaw Turowicz, for their significant role in the foundation of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).

DPM Dar praised Poland’s remarkable economic transformation into a trillion-dollar economy and its recent tenure as President of the Council of the European Union.

He expressed gratitude to Poland for supporting Pakistan’s successful election to the UN Security Council with 182 votes and sought Warsaw’s continued backing for the renewal of Pakistan’s GSP Plus status, which is due in 2027. Describing the trade scheme as mutually beneficial, he said it contributed to sustainable development, good governance, and poverty reduction.

Reiterating Pakistan’s stance on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, Dar called for its settlement in line with UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. He also voiced concern over the presence of militant elements such as Fitna-al-Khararij and Fitna-al-Hindustan in Afghanistan and underscored the need to uphold multilateralism and the principles of the UN Charter.

Speaking at the occasion, the Polish foreign minister said that Poland attached great value to its relationship with Pakistan and was eager to expand cooperation in various fields, including trade, public finance, fintech, water management, mining, and the energy sector.

He pointed out that Polish companies had a long-standing history of working in Pakistan’s geological sector and saw vast opportunities for future ventures.

Sikorski also mentioned the Pakistani community in Poland, numbering around 2,000 people, a quarter of whom are students, describing them as a meaningful bridge between the two nations. He reiterated that while Poland welcomed legal migration and genuine students, it maintained a strict policy against illegal migration.

The Polish FM reaffirmed his country’s consistent position on supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations, especially in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He said Poland stood for a lasting and comprehensive peace in Ukraine based on international law and the UN Charter.

On the Middle East, he reiterated Poland’s backing for a two-state solution to the Palestine-Israel conflict and welcomed ongoing efforts for the release of prisoners and hostages, affirming that both Palestinians and Israelis deserved to live in peace and dignity.

In response to a question, Sikorski said Pakistan and Poland had a long tradition of cooperation in UN peacekeeping operations and shared similar perspectives on global peace and stability. Both sides reiterated their determination to elevate Pakistan-Poland relations into a durable and mutually advantageous partnership.

When asked about future areas of cooperation, Ishaq Dar said that in addition to the oil and gas sector, both countries were considering collaboration in railways, agriculture, energy, and technological exchange.

On Gaza, he said that Islamabad and Warsaw shared the belief that reforms in the multilateral system were essential to effectively address issues such as Jammu and Kashmir, Gaza, and Palestine.

Responding to a question regarding the GSP Plus arrangement, Dar said Pakistan had implemented all 27 required conventions under the framework, with four reviews already completed and the fifth scheduled soon.

He added that Pakistan was fully prepared for the next review and looked forward to Poland’s continued support.