Pakistan is one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping, with over five thousand troops serving in missions in hotspots around the world
PKONWEB Report – Pakistan ambassador to the UN Dr. Maleeha Lodhi on Thursday underscored the need for the U.N. to undertake political processes in conflict zones along with its peacekeeping efforts to attain durable peace and stability.
Speaking in the UN Security Council’s open debate on capacity building for United Nations peacekeeping missions abroad, Lodhi said Pakistan’s participation in UN’s flagship activity was the most tangible demonstration of its commitment to the world body and a practical way of reaffirming its abiding faith in the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
Pakistan is also host to one of the earliest peacekeeping missions, namely the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), which monitors the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed Kashmir region. Dr. Lodhi highlighted the matter at the debate.
Conflicts today, she said, were becoming more complex, prolonged and lethal, posing new challenges for peacekeepers.
“This mission continues to play an invaluable role in a volatile and fraught environment,” the Pakistani envoy told the 15-member Council.
Maleeha highlighted that protection of civilians, supporting peace processes, peace-building, national capacity building and institution building are all “now interconnected facets of Peacekeeping Missions.”
In a statement, the Security Council also underscored the importance of peacekeeping overall, “as one of the most effective tools available in the promotion and maintenance of international peace and security.”
Pakistan is one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping, with over five thousand troops serving in missions in hotspots around the world.
As many as 7,123 Pakistani peacekeepers – including 6,703 personnel of armed forces, 74 military experts, 66 staff officers and 280 police officials – were deployed for seven different UN peacekeeping missions in 2017.
The country is 3rd largest troop contributor to peacekeeping missions.
Pakistani troops were currently performing peacekeeping duties in Congo, Darfur, Haiti, Liberia, West Sahara, Central African Republic and Sudan.
Largest deployment of Pakistani troops was in the UN peacekeeping mission in Congo in 2017. As many as 3,486 personnel of armed forces, including 3,429 troops, 42 military experts and 15 staff officers, were performing duties to protect civilians against human rights violations and physical violence.
The deadliest mission for Pakistani troops in terms of lives lost was in Somalia in early 1990s. At least 40 Pakistani soldiers lost lives in peacekeeping duties in that country.
The country has also met UN peacekeeping female deployment goal of 15 percent.
