Navid Miraj, Ahmed Mukhtar Naqshbandi, and Shahid Qureshi
ISLAMABAD: Polish Ambassador to Pakistan Maciej Pisarski has said that Investors from Poland are actively exploring opportunities in Pakistan, signaling an intent to expand business cooperation.
During his visit to the WE News head office in Islamabad, Ambassador Pisarski said that bilateral trade is increasing, reaching $900 million, with both nations eyeing further collaboration in various sectors.
Energy Exploration in Pakistan
He said that several Polish oil and gas companies, notably the Polish Oil and Gas Company (PGNiG), have been exploring gas in Sindh and other regions of Pakistan since 1997. PGNiG’s efforts resulted in a significant gas discovery in District Dadu, Sindh, last year.
Additionally, water conservation and purification plants from Poland have attracted investor attention, with technology and equipment installations addressing Pakistan’s water scarcity concerns after devastating floods.
Growing Pak-Polish Bilateral Trade Cooperation
Ambassador Pisarski said that investors are also looking further, where the trade is now touching $ 900 million, the government-to-government cooperation in business and investment is also waiting to gain ground in the near future.
He said that the trade between the two nations is robust, with Pakistan importing iron, steel, and metallic products from Poland, while Poland imports Pakistani garments, textiles, cotton, and garments, amounting to over $600 million.
The Ambassador said that Poland, a staunch supporter of Pakistan’s GSP-plus status with the European Union, also collaborates with Pakistan in defense and security, technology, agriculture, and other sectors.
Polish Education and Universities
Maciej Pisarski further said that Poland is becoming an attractive destination for Pakistani students seeking quality education at lower costs.
Ambassador Pisarski highlighted the interest in Polish universities, which offer standards equivalent to EU education in medical, engineering, and business administration.
With a population of 40 million and a growing economy, Poland presents significant potential for educational and economic collaboration.
Historical Ties and Shared Values: The Unseen Bond Between Poland and Pakistan
Ambassador Pisarski underlined the deep-rooted connections between Poland and Pakistan, dating back to the establishment of the Air Force in Pakistan by over 45 Polish pilots and aeronautical engineers. The shared history, including the stay of Polish citizens in Pakistan as refugees before and after World War II, has created an unimaginable bond, exemplified by the term “Polish-Pakistani.”
He mentioned that Polish climbers frequently visit Pakistan to climb K-2. The first woman to conquer K-2 was Polish, and many others, inspired by her, continue to undertake this challenging ascent.
Poland’s Role in NATO and EU
The Ambassador highlighted Poland’s geopolitical importance within NATO and the European Union, especially in the face of challenges such as Russian aggression against Ukraine. With EU integration and coordinated responses to geopolitical issues, Poland remains closely tied with NATO, playing a vital role in maintaining security in the region.
Ambassador Pisarski stressed the importance of supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, emphasizing that Ukraine’s success is crucial for maintaining peace and economic development in the broader European context. Poland’s role within NATO and the EU continues to evolve to address the changing geopolitical landscape.
“We will face continuous political tension and the possibility of military adventurism, with uncertainty about the outcomes. God only knows what this may bring. Therefore, it is crucial for Ukraine to succeed in this war, as it represents the best chance to halt Russian imperialism,” said Ambassador Pisarski.
The Ambassador said that Russia is disrupting the entire security architecture in Europe. He said that Poland recognizes the European Union’s crucial role within this context, particularly in coordinating assistance for Ukraine. The EU remains one of the primary providers of economic aid to Ukraine. It has also been influential in formulating a unified response to Russian actions, including the imposition and maintenance of sanctions. While sanctions may not be a perfect political tool, they are deemed a necessary political measure, and their coordination is undertaken at the European level.
As the European Union takes on increasingly complex geopolitical challenges, resistance against the Russian invasion of Ukraine becomes vital, concurrently strengthening European integration. Consequently, Poland’s close ties with NATO stand as a pivotal element of its security. NATO has demonstrated its relevance, remarkable adaptability, speed, and decisiveness in response to mounting pressures. Poland hosts thousands of NATO troops deployed in the Baltic states, Poland, and Romania.
They are basically doing their job to send a strong message of deterrence, resolve, and preparedness. This is the best way to deal with aggression, preventing it from escalating, by demonstrating that any challenge will be met with unwavering and strong resistance.
“And then, one thing I often keep reiterating here in Pakistan is the idea that NATO is fighting with Russia on the Ukrainian side. But that’s not the case,” said Pisarski. He said that NATO is not a part of the war. NATO has supported Ukraine as a country invaded while pursuing its own independent path.
NATO is responding to Ukraine’s needs, and this stems from the Cold War era. The stories might be difficult to imagine, but countries in that part of Europe have seen NATO membership as crucial for their own security, concluded he
