Polish people in Pakistan

Polish people in Pakistan
Poland Pakistan
Total population
Unknown
Regions with significant populations
Karachi, Islamabad
Languages
Urdu, English, Polish
Religion
Roman Catholicism, Islam
Related ethnic groups
Polish people

The Polish community in Pakistan consists of Pakistani citizens of Polish ancestry, as well as Polish nationals who migrated to and settled in the country.[1][2]

History

During the Second World War, between August 1942 and December 1944, approximately 28,000 Polish refugees arrived in Karachi, then part of the British Raj.[3] Many of them were later resettled in other countries, but a number died during their stay. About 58 Polish graves remain in the Christian Gora Qabaristan cemetery in Karachi.[4] In 2012, the Polish government erected a memorial at the cemetery, inscribed with the names of the 58 individuals who died in Karachi during the 1940s.[5]

Most of the current migrants came to the country after its independence in 1947. The Pakistan Air Force employed some 30 Polish pilots to help develop it in the initial years with three year contracts.[6]

Notable people

  • Władysław Turowicz — A Polish pilot who settled in Pakistan after the Second World War. He joined the Pakistan Air Force, rising to the rank of Air Commodore, and later became a leading figure at the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO).[7][8]
  • Anna Molka Ahmed — Born to a Polish-Jewish family in London, she migrated to Lahore after marriage. She became a pioneering artist and founded the Department of Fine Arts at the University of the Punjab.[9]
  • Ilona Yusuf — A contemporary Pakistani poet of Polish descent, known for her English-language poetry collections and for contributing to Pakistani literary journals.[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ Glogowski, Aleksander (2023). "Poland and Pakistan". Springer. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  2. ^ "Pakistan's Polish Patriot". Dawn. 2 October 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  3. ^ Glogowski, Aleksander (2023). "Refugees of World War II". Poland and Pakistan. Springer. ISBN 9789819710218.
  4. ^ "Pakistan's Polish Patriot". Dawn. 2 October 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  5. ^ "Historical Background of Polish Refugees in Karachi". Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Islamabad. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  6. ^ Laskowska, Natalia; Hali, S. M. (2 October 2016). "Pakistan's Polish Patriot". Dawn. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  7. ^ "Pakistan's Polish Patriot". Dawn. 2 October 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  8. ^ Shaikh, Farzana (2009). Making Sense of Pakistan. C. Hurst & Co. ISBN 023114962X.
  9. ^ "Anna Molka Ahmed". Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  10. ^ "A poet with a difference". Dawn. 23 February 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
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