ISLAMABAD, NOV 13 (DNA) – Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Zaidi has said relations between Pakistan and Poland are excellent and progressing with the each passing day.

He was speaking on the occasion of centenary of Regaining Independence by the Republic of Poland and the Polish Armed Forces day. Vice Chief of Logistic Staff GHQ, Major General Arshad Mahmood and Convener Pakistan- Poland friendship group in Senate, Senator Waseem Shahzad  also attended the reception.

The minister further said Pakistan and Poland relations are deep rooted and historical. He said he was surprised to know that both countries have had so close relations.

He assured that his government will protect and strengthen relations with Poland adding people to people ties with Poland will also be given new dimensions.

Ambassador of Poland Piotr Opalinski while speaking on the occasion said his country greatly valued relations with Pakistan.

The ambassador of Poland spoke in Urdu and got huge applause from the audience. He said Poland-Pakistan friendship is time-tested and historical.

He said, this year in November we celebrate the centenary of the State of Poland regaining its independence. It is its hundred’s birthday.

The Republic of Poland is a state with an over thousand year history, with a long lasting tradition and rich, original culture.

 He said Poland is a country, which, as the first in Europe, developed modern political ideas of freedom, democracy and equality. These values are included in the first Polish Constitution of May 3rd, 1791 – the first constitution in Europe.

At the end of the 18th century, Polish lands were torn between the three aggressive empires. The Polish State disappeared from the world map, but not from the minds and hearts of millions of Poles. Numerous attempts to fight for freedom were suppressed by the cooperating aggressors.

 It was only the period of First World War, in which the invaders confronted each other, that created the opportunity for the revival of a free and independent Poland. We regained independence after 123 years, on November 11th, 1918, he added.

This was mainly due to the perseverance and dedication of the active part of Polish society, who, during the period of servitude, passed down their allegiance to the language and national culture to new generations of young Poles.

He also introduced on the occasion two Pakistani soldiers namely Col ® Azam Qadri and Air Commodore ® Syed Sajjad Haider. He said, Col Azam wrote a book on air force and dedicated one full chapter about Polish pilots.

The ambassador also talked about Polish pilots buried in Gora Graveyard Rawalpindi adding every year on Ist of November they visit the Graveyard and re-furbish the graves of Polish heroes who are Pakistani heroes also.

The ambassador hoped that bilateral relations between Poland and Pakistan will continue to grow with same speed and spirit.=DNA

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