RAWALPINDI: On Wednesday, the armed forces paid tribute to their martyrs who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving as UN peacekeepers in conflict-affected countries worldwide, in observance of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers.
“Today, Pakistan joins the global community in commemorating International Peacekeepers Day, honoring the brave men and women who have served in United Nations peacekeeping missions around the world,” stated a news release from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
According to the ISPR, Pakistan is one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping efforts, with approximately 3,000 peacekeepers currently deployed in missions in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Abyei, the Central African Republic, Cyprus, Western Sahara, and Somalia. Since 1960, Pakistan has contributed 235,000 troops to UN peacekeeping operations across 48 missions in 29 countries spanning almost every continent.
“Pakistan takes pride in its long-standing commitment to UN peacekeeping. Our peacekeepers have shown exceptional courage, professionalism, and dedication in promoting peace and stability in conflict-ridden regions. To date, 181 Pakistani peacekeepers have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty,” the ISPR stated.
On this International Peacekeepers Day, the armed forces honor their service and sacrifice for the noble cause of global peace,” the release added.
The statement also emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to the United Nations Uniform Gender Parity Strategy (UGPS) for enhanced representation of women in uniform, and the Secretary-General’s Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) initiative, which aims to improve the effectiveness of UN peacekeeping operations by enhancing their capacity, coherence, and responsiveness.
“Additionally, Pakistan supports initiatives aimed at improving the safety and security of UN peacekeepers, particularly those serving in high-risk environments,” the ISPR added.
In a related statement, Pakistan reaffirmed its unwavering support for the principles of UN peacekeeping and expressed its commitment to continuing its contributions toward maintaining international peace and security as part of UN peacekeeping operations.
On the occasion of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, Pakistan commended the critical role played by peacekeepers in maintaining international peace and security, as noted by the Foreign Office Spokesperson in a press release.
