ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to name a major road in the capital after a Polish Air Commodore, who helped raise Pakistan Air Force and Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco).

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has written a letter in this regard to the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

“The ministry strongly endorses the proposal for naming of service road (East) F-10 as Air Commodore Turowicz (Poland) road,” read the letter of the Foreign Office, dated Jan 31.

Following the letter of the Foreign Office, the CDA is all set to take up the matter in its upcoming board meeting.

A source in the federal government said Poland and Pakistan had enjoyed cordial relations since long and one of the major contributing factors in this regard was the services rendered by Polish Air Force officials while rejuvenating Pakistan Air Force in the early 50s. Therefore, the official said the government had decided to name a road after the polish officer, Air Commodore Turowicz, as a gesture of goodwill and token of remembrance.

A working paper said Air Commodore Wladyslaw Turowicz, along with a group of 30 Polish Air Force personnel joined RPAF in the early 50s.

He worked with extreme commitment and rendered valuable contributions in laying the foundation of Pakistan Air Force in its early years.

After completion of his initial contract, Turowicz opted to stay in Pakistan and continued to serve in PAF. In 1966, the Government of Pakistan transferred him to Suparco as chief scientist and eventually appointed him as its head in 1967.

As Suparco’s head, he initiated the space programme, upgraded the Sonmiani Satellite and design short and medium range ballistic missiles.

His spouse, Zofia Turowicz, also contributed in her own way and imparted gliding techniques to Shaheen Air Cadets in Karachi and Rawalpindi.

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2022