Pakistan Army has a long and appreciated history of serving under the banner of the United Nations (UN). The Army’s journey with UN Peacekeeping missions started in 1960 when it set out its foremost contingent in the United Nations Operations in Congo (ONUC). Over the past 60 years, Pakistan has been the most important and consistent provider for UN Peacekeeping across the World.
Pakistan has thus far participated in 46 UN Peacekeeping Missions including some of the most challenging operations. Until now, 145 Pakistani Army peacekeepers have sacrificed their lives including 22 officers in the noble cause of serving humanity, building peace, harmony and bringing stability around the globe. More or less an equal number of Pakistani army personnel have been injured while promoting and advancing the dignified cause of global peace.
Pakistan provides the third-largest troop
Pakistan’s pledge to the UN for supporting global peace and affluence stems from the vision of the father of the nation Quaid-e-Azam: – “Our foreign policy is one of affability and goodwill towards all the nations of the globe. Pakistan believes in the principle of honesty and flaxen play in national and international dealings and is ready to make our greatest contribution to the promotion of peace and prosperity among the nations”.
“The country will never be found lacking in enlarging its moral assistance to the demoralized and suppressed nations across the globe and in keeping the principles of the United Nations Charter.” As the vision, the Pakistan Army has been increasingly participating in UN peacekeeping missions. Pakistan provides the third-largest troop for UN peacekeeping missions after India and Ethiopia since September 30, 1947,
Peacekeeping moments and operations have been conducted to generate conditions for sustainable peace; may it be confidence-building steps, support, strengthening the rule of law, power-sharing arrangements, electoral economic and social development or protection of civilians in war-ravaged lands; the Pakistan army both men and women have risen above all expectations and served the humanity across the globe.
Female Pakistani team receives UN medals
The first-ever Pakistani Female team in any UN mission around the globe received UN medals for serving in the Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) in January 2020.
On 31 January 2020, 15 members of Pakistani female Army officers received major recognition for being the first all-female group from Pakistan to serve humanity as a part of the UN peacekeeping mission. The UN medal was awarded for participation in military and police operations that include humanitarian efforts, peacekeeping and disaster relief.
Past peace missions
Pakistani peacekeepers ranked the world’s fifth-largest contingent with more than 200,00 army and police force officials. Pakistani army served in Cambodia, Somalia East Slovenia and presently deployed Congo, the Central African Republic and Sudan’s Darfur region.
Thousands of Pakistani soldiers are serving in UN peacekeeping missions. The United Nations says the Pakistan Army has provided more than 6,000 military and police officers for peacekeeping missions.
Contribution of $25,000 for UNSG fund
Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi announced a token contribution of 25,000 dollars to the Secretary General’s Peacebuilding Fund. The foreign minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to multilateral cooperation for preserving peace, preventing conflict and realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Qureshi said despite our ongoing financial difficulties, I am pleased to announce a token contribution of 25,000 dollars to the Secretary General’s Peacebuilding Fund. He welcomed the UN Secretary General’s Peacebuilding Fund Strategy 2020-2024 which focused on the imperative of conflict prevention.
The foreign minister, however, emphasized that ‘national ownership’ must remain the core principle of peace-building and determine all PBF investment decisions, adding that durable peace within nations cannot be externally imposed.
Extraordinary contributions
For over half a century, Pakistan has been making extraordinary contributions to the UN peacekeeping missions for humanitarian efforts, sustainable peace and has gained a special place in the United Nations.
This has largely been possible because of the pledge the country’s forces attached to the universal cause for a superior world by upholding the policy and rules set by the founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam.
Since then the Army had remained in the vanguard whenever the UN sought the country’s support in its peacekeeping missions, in spite of the gravity of conflict and social conditions at the place of need.
Pakistani peacekeepers have left no stone unturned in the noble cause of severing civilization, building peace and bringing stability in the regions under the umbrella of the United Nations.
