Islamabad, Pakistan and Poland on Thursday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties across a wide spectrum of sectors — from trade and energy to education, defence, and fintech — as Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski concluded an official visit to Islamabad.
During a joint press stakeout with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, both sides expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of their relations and underscored the need to unlock untapped economic potential.
“We have over a billion dollars in bilateral trade, but there remains immense room for growth,” Dar said. “Poland’s expertise in oil and gas can greatly benefit Pakistan, and Polish companies have already invested nearly half a billion dollars here.”
To institutionalize dialogue, the two governments signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) — one establishing regular bilateral consultations between their foreign ministries, and another linking Islamabad’s Institute of Strategic Studies (ISSI) with the Polish Institute of International Affairs to promote think tank collaboration.
Dar also recalled the historic bond between the two nations, noting Pakistan’s hospitality to thousands of Polish refugees during World War II and paying tribute to Air Commodore Władysław Turowicz, a key figure in the early development of the Pakistan Air Force.
The Deputy Prime Minister appreciated Poland’s transformation into a trillion-dollar economy and acknowledged Warsaw’s support for Pakistan’s election to the UN Security Council. He also sought Poland’s continued backing for the renewal of Pakistan’s GSP Plus trade status with the European Union, due in 2027.
“GSP Plus is a win-win arrangement for both Pakistan and the EU, contributing to sustainable development, good governance, and poverty alleviation,” Dar said.
Poland Eyes Broader Economic Cooperation
Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski described Pakistan as an “important partner” and emphasized his country’s interest in expanding cooperation in public finance, fintech, water management, mining, and energy.
“Polish companies have long been engaged in geological services in Pakistan and see great potential for future cooperation,” he noted.
Sikorski also highlighted the growing Pakistani community in Poland — around 2,000 strong — as a bridge between the two societies. He reiterated Warsaw’s openness to legal migration and student exchanges while maintaining a firm stance against illegal migration.
On global issues, the Polish minister reaffirmed Poland’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty amid the ongoing Russian invasion and backed a two-state solution to the Palestine-Israel conflict, asserting that both Palestinians and Israelis “deserve to live in dignity and peace.”
Meeting with the Prime Minister
Later, Sikorski called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s House, where both sides reaffirmed their intent to elevate bilateral relations.
The Prime Minister praised Poland’s industrial development and invited Polish firms to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan’s energy, mining, and information technology sectors.
He also extended an invitation to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience, signaling Islamabad’s intent to sustain high-level political engagement.
During the meeting, the two leaders exchanged views on regional and international developments, including the situation in the Middle East and Ukraine. Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to peaceful dispute resolution through dialogue and diplomacy, emphasizing adherence to international law and the UN Charter.
Sikorski, for his part, appreciated Pakistan’s role in promoting regional stability and suggested enhanced cooperation in water treatment technologies.
Both sides agreed to maintain close contact and build on the positive momentum of the visit.
