HE is a senior diplomat who has been around the world on various assignments. And, like many Central European citizens, he speaks several languages, including Arabic which he had studied in Warsaw and perfected in Damascus where he had his first diplomatic assignment.

Consul-general Janusz Bylinski of Poland was posted in his country’s embassy in Islamabad before coming down to Karachi. He reflects the culture of his great country. And, following the closure of the Czech diplomatic mission in the city, he is the only Central European consul-general in the city. His wife could be seen at most of the cultural functions since she has deep interest in the art and culture of Pakistan.

When he and his wife celebrated the National Day of their country, which had been divided and united several times, the guests were large in number, including political figures and diplomats. Ambassador Tomasz Kozlowski was here from Islamabad where he had been posted for a year now. He said he wanted to come here earlier but could not because of his preoccupation with the Afghan issue and other problems. A handsome diplomat, he met a good number of guests here. He is also his country’s ambassador to Afghanistan, which makes him visit Kabul from time to time.

Governor Mohammadmian Soomro was not there because of political preoccupations following the elections, but the Nazim of the city, the tall and bearded Niamatullah Khan was there to cut the cake.

One diplomat there said the governor is more often present at the functions of honorary consuls than at regular consuls-general’s functions. So why shouldn’t foreign countries prefer to have honorary consuls here at no cost than have professional diplomats manning their mission? But then, the governor feels closer to many honorary consuls who are locals and, hence, makes it a point to attend their functions.

US Consul-General John Bauman was there on return from a visit to the Czech Republic where his wife lives following the forced separation of diplomatic families here for security reasons. She may be visiting Karachi briefly soon, he said.

Politicians were in plenty there, including Nisar Khuhro, Zia Ispahani and Iqbal Haider of PPP who were discussing the political happenings of the day, and how far was the PPP was away from office in Sindh due to official machinations. MQM’s Dr Farooq Sattar was there, explaining his party’s policy and strategy. He is more often seen at diplomatic parties than before and spends a long time at each function. Is he replacing Nasreen Jaleel as MQM’s man for diplomats? PML(Q)’s unsuccessful candidate for Sindh Assembly from Defence-Clifton, Dr Rahimul Haq of South City Hospital, was there with his wife Dr Saeeda Malik, MNA. Their two sons are doctors and so are their wives.

There was a display of photographs of Poland, which had its lovely landscape and ample wild life. There was also a series of 30 sketches of old architecture in Karachi, done by a Polish artist in 1975. They are lovely sketches which belong to the collection of architect Yasmeen Lari, who was there. She was given a life-time award, for trying to restore and bring to life old architecture in Pakistan, at a function in Islamabad where President Musharraf was present too. She is the leading spirit behind Karavan Karachi which tries to infuse a spark of life into the city and make its people aware of the cultural richness of their city.

Unlike the cool and serene Yasmeen, Sohail Lari loves to fish in troubled waters. Recently, he brought out a book on Mughal architecture, arguing that Moghul architecture is neither Islamic or Persian. He did hard work on the book.

Real Admiral Arshad Munir Ahmad, Managing Director of Karachi Shipyard, was there talking of the efforts he is making to revitalize the shipyard. We seem to be better at breaking ships than making them, as for the former is easy and quickly profitable. But even that operation ceased following heavy taxation; but now ship-breaking is being revived.

Makhdoom Khaliquzzaman was there with his wife Shamsi after a six-week holiday in France and Europe. They were here in good time to cast a vote in favour of his elder brother Amin Fahim and the family. Juergen Koenig, of Maerck Marker pharmaceutical company, was talking of the efforts he is making to sell his products abroad. He is pleased with the reception of his company’s Gulgee calender.

Shirin Niazi, who represents Mynamar, former Burma, here as trade representative, says she had sent a good many businessmen to that country to expand trade between the two countries. Maybe where men do not succeed well enough, women may.