KARACHI, Nov 8: The Polish Consulate in Karachi renovated 58 graves of Polish nationals at Karachi Christian Cemetry (Gora Qabristan). During 1942-1945, over 30,000 refugees deported from East Poland, found shelter in Karachi and were accommodated in tents at refugee camps set up at country club (now called Gulshan-i-Iqbal) and Malir. These camps were supervised and administered by British authorities and representatives of Polish government in exile. Fifty-eight Poles from refugee camps died and were buried at Karachi Christian Cemetry.

Father Gaspar Mendes from St Anthony’s church prayed at cemetery for souls of departed Poles. Consul-General of Poland Ireneusz Makles and his wife were also present.

Father Gaspar also blessed grave of Air Commodore Wladyslaw Turowicz of Pakistan Air Force at same cemetery. He came to Pakistan in 1948 with 30 other Poles all on three-year contract with PAF, and served at PAF bases Drigh Road, Peshawar, and Chaklala and in 1961 got Pakistani citizenship.

Air Commodore Turowicz who was awarded Tamgha-i-Pakistan, Sitara-i-Pakistan and Sitara-i-Quaid-i-Azam retired from PAF in 1967 and was later appointed Executive Director Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission where he served till 1970.

He died in Karachi on Jan 8, 1980 and was buried at Christian Cemetry.—PPI