A six-member Polish defence delegation, headed by Secretary of State and Vice Minister of National Defence, Marek Zajakala, is due to arrive here on Monday to attend 'Ideas 2006, Fourth Defence Exhibition and Seminar', beginning from November 20, 2006 here in Karachi.
The Consul-General of Poland here, Ireneusz Makles, told Business Recorder on Saturday that it would be for the first time that a high-powered delegation from Poland would participate in the 'Ideas' program. This Pakistani exhibition of defence materials and equipment has gained international recognition and a place as an important event in world international exhibitions as 'Arms for Peace'.
The delegation comprises Chief of Logistic of Polish Army Brigadier-General Piotr Dabrowski, Director of Military International Co-operation Department Brigadier-General Romuald Ratajczak, Chief of Support Center of Operational Command Brigadier-General Josef Leszega and other high ranking officers of Polish Armed Forces.
During their stay in Pakistan, delegation members will call on Defence Minister Sikandar Iqbal and Minister for Defence Production Habib Ullah Wariach. These meetings would focus on matters of mutual interest.
It would be of interest to know that Polish armed force personnel had landed in Karachi during World War II. Many of them lived here after the war was over and later served Pakistan Air Force after Pakistan came into existence in 1947. Air Commodore of PAF Wladsylaw Turowicz, along with 30 other officers and technicians had contributed after 1948 their services to establish Pakistan Air force.
After arrival in Karachi on November 20, the Polish delegation would visit and lay wreath in Air Force Museum at Shahrah-e-Faisal to the memorial of Polish origin. The museum has preserved Polish contribution to PAF.
The delegation will also lay wreath at the Memorial at Karachi Christian Cemetery (Gora Qabristan) where 58 Polish nationals are buried, who were destined not to return to their fatherland, Poland. During WWII, in 1942-45, more than 30,000 refugees were deported from East Poland, which was annexed on September 17, 1939 by former USSR. They had found shelter in Karachi. They were accommodated in the refugee camps set up in Country Club (at present called Gulshan-e-Iqbal) and Malir.
Leader of the delegation, Zajakala, will decorate the wife of Air Commodore Turowicz, Sofia Turowicz, for her struggle for freedom of Poland during WWII, with the 'Golden Medal of Polish Armed Forces'.