Pakistan’s long journey in keeping peace

As one of the largest contributors of troops, the Army has been appreciated by several key officials over the decades

KARACHI:

Decades after the creation of the United Nations, Pakistan continues to serve on the frontline of peacekeeping missions in the most troubled regions of the world, helping the global body maintain stability and peace.

The third-largest contributor of troops, Pakistan’s efforts have been lauded by several key officials over the decades. Two of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s predecessors, Ban Ki-moon, and the late Kofi Annan, both praised Pakistan Army’s role in maintaining peace in the war-torn areas around the world.

Two decades ago, while on a visit to Islamabad, former secretary-general Annan said he was visiting to offer his respect and to salute Pakistan for its remarkable support.  “Pakistan has supported the aims of the United Nations throughout our history.  Thanks to the thousands of Pakistani soldiers who have served under the United Nations flag, and to the many distinguished Pakistani scholars, economists, and international civil servants who have advanced our work for development and peace, Pakistan can truly call itself a leader in the work of the international community,” said Annan.

Acknowledging Pakistan’s military’s role in peacekeeping missions back then, Annan said: “soldiers have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of world peace, and the United Nations.  I salute this record of global idealism because I believe it reflects a determination among the Pakistani people to serve the world.  But one lesson of the past 50 years is that solutions to the challenges of our time begin at home.”

Beginning with Congo in 1960, Pakistan has deployed peacekeepers in virtually every continent. In the 60 years that followed, the country has sent more than 200,000 troops for 46 missions in 28 different countries, consistently making it one of the top five contributors.

While Pakistan’s Blue Helmets have offered an unwavering commitment to the global peacekeeping efforts, the task has come at a high price. Many of Pakistani peacekeepers have paid this price by sacrificing their lives to restore peace and stability to troubled regions across the world.

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While visiting Islamabad eight years ago, then UN chief Ban Ki-moon said he was ‘overwhelmed with gratitude for its role in aiding international peace and security.

“More than 100 countries contribute troops and police for United Nations peacekeeping missions. Pakistan is number one,” he said at the time. “It is impossible to speak about the history of United Nations peacekeeping without highlighting such contributions of Pakistan. I thank you very much,” said the former UN chief.  Other leaders, including UN diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi also praised Pakistan for its peacekeeping role in Haiti.

Going back further in history, Indonesia’s first president Sukarno and former Chinese premier Chou En Lai also looked back on Pakistan’s peacekeeping role with appreciation. “It was because of Pakistani troops that Indonesia and Pakistan came close together, they were Pakistan's best ambassadors,” said former president Sukarno.

“The only example in UN history, when a UN military force had gone in, performed its role honestly and came out was Pakistan's Military contingent in Indonesia,” the Chinese premier remarked.

Not too long ago, Major General Thomas M Montgomery, who served as the Deputy Commander of the UN Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM II) also praised Pakistan Army’s role in maintaining peace.  “The fact is that many soldiers are alive today because of the willingness and skill of Pakistani soldiers working together with our troops in the most dangerous and difficult combat circumstances … We are very proud to serve at their side,” Montgomery said in a letter addressed to then-chief of Pakistan Army General Abdul Waheed.