NEW YORK: Pakistan and the United Nations have agreed to increase the number of Pakistani personnel in the United Nations peacekeeping missions. The two sides agreed during a meeting between Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York. They underscored Pakistan’s pivotal role in UN peacekeeping operations, shedding light on its substantial contributions to global peace and security.
On his part, the UN Secretary-General extended his best wishes to the people and government of Pakistan. Ambassador Munir Akram, the Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN, was also present in the meeting.
Pakistan currently stands as the 5th largest contributor of military and police personnel to UN peace operations, with over 3,800 individuals serving in various regions including Abyei, the Central African Republic, Cyprus, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, and Western Sahara.
Pakistan’s role in UN peacekeeping is noteworthy, with over 170 Pakistani peacekeepers sacrificed their lives since the nation’s inception. Since 1948, Pakistan has been a steadfast participant in UN peacekeeping efforts, epitomizing the nation’s unwavering commitment to global peace and security. The historic decision to deploy military observers to the Middle East in 1948 marked Pakistan’s initial involvement, paving the way for its continued engagement in over 71 operations worldwide.
