News Desk |
Pakistani women wearing blue helmets and caps are at the forefront of United Nations peacekeeping missions across the world. On a number of occasions, Pakistan’s female military personnel have made their presence felt at the UN peacekeeping missions across the world by helping humanity, building peace and bringing stability across the regions.
On Thursday, a statement of Pakistan’s permanent representative to UN Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi prompted an explosion of responses on Twitter when she shared a photo of Pakistan Army’s Major Fozia Parveen, who is serving in a UN peacekeeping mission in Cyprus. In the photo, Parveen holding a wireless set in one hand is standing next to UN vehicle positioned somewhere in Cyprus.
Pakistan Army has the third most number of soldiers in the UN peacekeeping missions that cover about 70 operations in different parts of world.
In the tweet, Maleeha stated: “We are proud of our female (and male) peacekeepers who serve in UN Missions. Major Fozia Perveen is serving in the UN mission in Cyprus (UNFICYP), seen here on a patrol in the Buffer Zone.”
We are proud of our female (and male) peacekeepers who serve in UN Missions.Major Fozia Perveen is serving in theUN mission in Cyprus (UNFICYP) , seen here on a patrol in the Buffer Zone.Picture thanks to the UN pic.twitter.com/t7LRUvlcQn
— Maleeha Lodhi (@LodhiMaleeha) June 27, 2019
It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan is one of the longest-serving and the largest contributor to the UN peacekeeping missions. Pakistani women and men peacekeepers have actively been participating in multi-national efforts to maintain peace and order around the globe since 1960.
In February this year, Pakistan has met the UN target of deploying 15 percent female military and staff officers in UN peacekeeping missions in line with efforts to enhance women’s participation in the world body’s flagship activity.
Pakistan Army’s Contributions in UN Missions
Pakistan’s commitment to the UN for promoting international peace and prosperity stems from the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Reportedly, Pakistan’s role in peacekeeping efforts began in 1960 when it deployed its first contingent in the UN operations in Congo. Over the past 59 years, the country has been the most significant and consistent contributor to the UN peacekeeping around the world.
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“Our foreign policy is one of friendliness and goodwill towards all the nations of the world. We believe in the principle of honesty and fair play in national and international dealings and 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 United Nations Charter,” Pakistan Army’s official website has quoted Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah as saying in February 1948.
The website states, ever since its creation, Pakistan has played a significant role as a member of the United Nations, in bringing peace through active diplomatic, moral and material support in various regions of the world.
Today, it added, Pakistan’s position as one of the largest troop contributing country in the world with one of the highest peacekeepers’ casualty figure, is a testimony to its commitment and endeavors towards promoting the noble cause of global peace.
It says the UN peacekeepers monitor and observe peace processes that emerge in post-conflict situations and assist ex-combatants in implementing the peace agreements they have signed.
During the peacekeeping mission in Congo in July 1960, Pakistan provided logistic support under Lt Col Naseer, the ever first Pakistani officer commanding an Ordnance Company in United Nation, during movement of troops to and from Congo and inland movement to the United Nation troops.
UN Peacekeeping Missions Involving Pakistan
Pakistan Army has the third most number of soldiers in the UN peacekeeping missions that cover about 70 operations in different parts of world.
UN says that peacekeeping is a way to help countries torn apart by conflict. It says the UN peacekeepers monitor and observe peace processes that emerge in post-conflict situations and assist ex-combatants in implementing the peace agreements they have signed.
The assistance comes in the form of confidence-building measures, power-sharing arrangements, electoral support, strengthening the rule of law, and economic and social development. Pakistan has contributed mainly military, but also paramilitary and civilian police as peacekeepers.
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Several links are available on the UN’s official website where the UN has honored Pakistan’s peacekeepers who are serving the world for peace. Pakistani peacekeepers’ performance has been acknowledged by numerous world leaders and UN leadership.