Islamabad, May 29, 2022 (PPI-OT): Pakistan has reiterated that it stands tall in the comity of nations being one of the largest troops contributing country in the UN peacekeeping efforts. On the occasion of World UN Peacekeepers Day, in a press release, the ISPR said Pakistan’s journey in UN peacekeeping operations began in 1960 when first ever Pakistan Army contingent was deployed for UN peacekeeping operations in Congo.
Over the last 61 years Pakistan has been the most significant and consistent contributor for UN peacekeeping around the world. Pakistan has hitherto participated in 46 UN peacekeeping missions including some of the most challenging undertakings. Pakistan has so far contributed more than 200000 troops in the UN peacekeeping missions across the world.
Up till now 169 Pakistani peacekeepers have sacrificed their lives in the noble cause of helping humanity, building peace and bringing stability across the regions under the banner of UN. Over the years, several UN Secretary Generals have profusely appreciated Pakistan’s contributions. The present Secretary General Antonio Guterres visited Pakistan and paid rich tribute to Pakistan’s peace keeping efforts.
Performance of Pakistani peacekeepers has been acknowledged worldwide by numerous world leaders and UN leadership. In addition to Army, many Pakistani peacekeeping contingents have also included troops from FC, Rangers and Police.
Foreign Office Statement:
On the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, Pakistan has reiterated its commitment to continue working with the United Nations for advancing the shared ideals of peace, stability and cooperation.
The Foreign Office, in a statement, said Pakistan joined the international community in celebrating the International Day of UN Peacekeepers. It said as one of the top troop-contributing countries, Pakistan deeply values the vital role played by “blue helmets” in maintaining security and stability in many conflict-ridden areas around the world.
It said we salute the services and sacrifices rendered by UN peacekeepers. The Foreign Office said Pakistan is proud of its long-standing and consistent contributions to UN peacekeeping spanning over six decades. Since 1960, over 200,000 of our service men and women have served with honour and valour in 46 UN Missions in almost all continents of the world.
Through their professionalism and dedication, Pakistani peacekeepers have always distinguished themselves in every mission where they have participated. The statement said that 169 of Pakistan’s bravest peacekeepers have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty for the cause of international peace and security.
The Foreign Office said Pakistani Women Peacekeepers have also been providing assistance in conflict and post-conflict situations, and inspiring women around the globe. It said that a team of our officers is presently serving as the first all-female group from Pakistan in a UN peacekeeping mission, deployed in Congo, providing a range of resources to the region including psychologists, stress counsellors, vocational training officers, gender advisors, doctors, nurses, operations officers, information officers, and logistics officers. These deployments reflect Pakistan’s deep-rooted commitment to women’s critical role in promotion of sustainable peace and security.
It said Pakistan’s contribution to peacekeeping on ground has also been complemented by our sustained engagement in policy development in peacekeeping and peace building. We bring a unique perspective to peacekeeping as a leading troop contributing country as well as a host country to one of the oldest peacekeeping missions, the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan. On this Day, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that peacekeeping remains an effective mechanism for the maintenance of international peace and security under the UN auspices.
For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk