By Imran Nasir

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has the honor and privilege to remain on top of the list in terms of contribution to the UN peacekeeping missions for maintaining peace in the conflict zones where the UN deploys its peacekeeping missions around the world.

The UN observed the International Day of UN Peacekeepers on May 29 around the world to pay tribute to brave soldiers who left their homes for bringing peace to conflict zones and help the vulnerable people.

“Pakistan’s participation in UN Peacekeeping spans over 60 yrs. This is a tangible manifestation of our contribution to maintenance of int’l peace & stability,” said Pakistan Foreign Ministry.

Since 1960, during its long association with UN peacekeeping missions, Pakistan has contributed 200,000 troops and its 163 peacekeepers have laid down their lives in service of peace,” said a Pakistani officials

Pakistani peacekeepers have excelled in going beyond the call of duty to aid humanity, build institutions and promote peace. Their performances have been acclaimed by the UN and world leaders alike and have fostered everlasting bonds of respect and friendship.

UN peacekeeping missions have both promoted the diplomatic clout of Pakistan at the UN and soft power of its Army worldwide.

The International Day of UN Peacekeepers was established by the UN General Assembly in 2002, to pay tribute to all men and women serving in peacekeeping, and to honor the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace.

The theme for this year’s observance is ‘People. Peace, The Power of Partnerships’.

In his message, ahead of the UN Peacekeeping Day, Secretary-General Guterres referred to an old saying that “peace can never be taken for granted. Peace is the prize’’.

“UN peacekeepers work on a daily basis to protect vulnerable people in the world’s most fragile political and security situations,” said Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations.

The first UN peacekeeping mission was established on 29th May, 1948 when the Security Council authorized the deployment of a small number of UN military observers to the Middle East to form the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) to monitor the Armistice Agreement between Israel and its Arab neighbors.

Since then, more than 1 million men and women have served in 72 UN peacekeeping operations, directly impacting the lives of millions of people and saving countless lives.

On May 26, ahead of the UN Peacekeeping Day, the Secretary-General laid a wreath in honour of all peacekeepers who have lost their lives while serving under the UN flag over the past seven decades at the UN Headquarters in New York.

The UN also posthumously honored 117 peacekeepers from around the world, including six Pakistanis, in a special ceremony in connection with the Day of the UN Peacekeepers.

According to a UN announcement, the Pakistani peacekeepers are Police Lance Corporal Tahir Ikram, Police Lance Corporal Adil Jan, Havildar Muhammad-Nil-Naeem, NCE Tahir Mehmood, Havildar Muhammad Shafeeq, and Abrar Sayed. Lance Corporal Tahir, Lance Adil, and Havildar Muhammad all served with UN-AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID); while NCE Tahir was deployed with the UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO); Havildar Shafeeq from the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA); and Abrar served in a civilian capacity with (MINURSO).

Pakistan joined the UN on September 30, 1947 just over a month after its independence. It has been actively involved in various UN conferences and its specialized agencies. It has been elected seven times (1952 to 2013) in the UN Security Council.

Since 1960, During its long association with UN peacekeeping missions, Pakistan has contributed 200,000 troops and its 163 peacekeepers have laid down their lives in service of peace. This is its most tangible assistance to the UN efforts to maintain international peace and security. Along with continuous efforts to promote peace, Pakistan’s endeavor of rescuing 2,000 people in the Congo floods and services of women peacekeepers in the fight against COVID-19 were widely hailed.

Pakistan is the 5th largest contributor of uniformed personnel to the global peacekeeping operations, currently deploying more than 4,462 military and police personnel to the UN operations in Abyei, the Central African Republic, Cyprus, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, South Sudan and Western Sahara.

Pakistan has also deployed 15% female SOs in UN Missions; which is an important benchmark. Moreover, a female engagement team was deployed in July 2019 in Congo comprising 20 officers that came from different arms / services.

Recently on March 29 March 2022, at least eight UN peacekeepers, including six Pakistani soldiers, were martyred when a helicopter crashed on a reconnaissance mission in Congo. While undertaking a reconnaissance mission in Congo, one PUMA helicopter crashed.

The martyred soldiers were identified as Lt Col Asif Ali Awan, who was the pilot, Major Saad Nomani, who was the co-pilot, Major Faizan Ali, N/S Sami Ullah Khan, who was the flight engineer, Havaldar Muhammad Ismail, who was the crew chief, and L/Hav Muhamad Jamil, who was the gunner.

On 13 Aug 2013, the former UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, while addressing an nauguration ceremony of the Centre for Intl Peace Studies (CIPS) in Islamabad said: “More than 100 countries contribute troops and police for UN peacekeeping missions. Pakistan is number one. It is impossible to speak about the history of UN peacekeeping without highlighting such contributions of Pakistan.”

In 2020, the UN Secy Gen Antonio Guetress, during his visit to Islamabad, paid tribute to Pakistani peacekeepers who sacrificed their lives to protect some of the most vulnerable people in the world.

“Pakistan is one of the most consistent and reliable contributors to peace efforts around the world. I have seen for myself the professionalism, the commitment of Pakistani military, police and civilian personnel in our missions and I thank you for your important contribution to creating a safer and more peaceful world,” said the UN Chief.

“Pakistan is the first country to endorse the Declaration of Shared Commitments on Action for Peace-A4P. Pakistan is a leader in championing women peacekeepers and an example for other troop contributors,” he added.

Being the flag bearers of courage and determination against War on Terror, Pakistan Army is leaving its mark on the African soil as well, becoming a living example of Quaid’s words, “Our objective should be peace within and peace without. We want to live peacefully and maintain cordial and friendly relations with our immediate neighbors and with the world at large. We have no aggressive designs against anyone. We stand by the UN Charter and will gladly make our full contributions to the peace and prosperity of the world.”

Moreover, Quaid-e-Azam said: “We are prepared to make our utmost contribution to the promotion of peace and prosperity among the nations of the world. Pakistan will never be found lacking in extending its material and moral support to the oppressed and suppressed peoples of the world and in upholding the principles of the UN Charter.”