Pakistani peacekeeper, Havaldar Muhammad Shafiq, serving United Nations (UN) Mission in the Central African Republic has embraced martyrdom, says the latest press release issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Havaldar Shafiq had joined the UN Peacekeeping Mission in February 2021. “He was a brave and dedicated member of the Pakistan contingent ensuring the protection of civilians in CAR and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance,” the ISPR added.
The soldier has been buried in his hometown, Mian Channu, with complete military honor. He is survived by his wife and three sons.
In September, another Pakistan Army soldier Lance Naik Adil Jan embraced martyrdom while serving the UN Mission in Darfur, Sudan.
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“Lance Naik Adil Jan, FC Balochistan, age 38 years, resident of Lakki Marwat, was part of UN mission at Darfur [which is] responsible for [the] protection of civilians and facilitating humanitarian assistance,” the military’s media wing stated.
So far, 162 Pakistani peacekeepers have laid their lives while serving the global missions.
Pakistan is among the major countries contributing peacekeeping contingents for the last 6 decades, adding that the country has so far contributed over 2 lakh Jawans to UN Peacekeeping operations.
https://twitter.com/PSFAERO/status/1466282616974450689?s=20
Pakistani men and women wearing blue helmets and caps are at the forefront of United Nations peacekeeping missions across the world. On several 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.
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.
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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 UN peacekeeping around the world.