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Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Pakistan major contributor in UN peacekeeping missions for 6 decades: Maleeha Lodhi

On June 26, a statement of Dr 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.

News Desk |

Pakistan permanent envoy to United Nations (UN) Dr Maleeha Lodhi has said that 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.

The ambassador expressed her views while participating in UN Security Council’s debate on Strengthening Triangular Cooperation.

Dr Lodhi said that there was a need to beef up triangular cooperation to make peace missions effective and result oriented. She said that Security Council, UN Secretariat and countries providing peacekeeping should bolster mutual cooperation among them, adding that security council under the chairmanship of Pakistan took multidimensional steps in 2013.

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.

She held that it was hard to face the challenges related to peace mission without the mutual cooperation of respective stakeholders. Pakistan has so far dispatched over 2 Lakh Jawans in 46 peace missions. Pakistan and Morocco constituted an informal group of the countries which have provided the army and police.

Pakistani Military Women Stand Tall at United Nations

Pakistani men and 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 June 26, a statement of Dr 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.

Read more: Maj Gen Zia Ur Rehman appointed Mission Chief by UN

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.”

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.

Pakistani men and women wearing blue helmets and caps are at the forefront of United Nations peacekeeping missions across the world.

“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,” Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah said it in February 1948.

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.

Read more: Pakistani military women stand tall at United Nations

Today, 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.