The
UN Day: Refocus on Pakistan’s Peacekeeping Role By Sajjad Shaukat (JR181SS53)
Each year, United
Nations Day is celebrated on May 29. On this day in 1945, the United Nations
(UN) came into force when the five permanent members of the Security Council
ratified its charter This followed a declaration by the UN General Assembly in
1947 which designated 29th of May as United Nations Day, by proclaiming that
the day would be instrumental in making people aware of the aims and
achievements of the United Nations and to gain their support for its work.
Since its creation,
Pakistan has played a significant role as UN member, in bringing peace through
active diplomatic, moral and material support in various regions of the world.
Therefore, this very day also reminds Pakistan Armed Forces role in UN
peacekeeping measures, during war and peace time.
Pakistan Armed Forces
are considered the best organized institution, and are highly respected in the
country, as since the founding of Pakistan, its military has played a key role
in holding the state together, promoting a feeling of nationhood and providing
a bastion of selfless service.
Today, Pakistan’s
position as one of the largest troop contributing country in the world with one
of the highest peacekeepers’ casualty figure is testimony to its commitment and
endeavors towards promoting the noble cause of global peace. It is not easy to
achieve peace in world’s conflict ridden areas. But Pakistan Army’s history is
replete with sacrifices, services to humanity and promoting collective security
for human prosperity.
In this regard,
Pakistan is a big player in UN peacekeeping forces. Pakistan joined the United
Nations on September 30, 1947. Since 1960, it has been actively involved in
most of the UN peacekeeping missions. Major contributions of Pakistan Army are
in Congo, Liberia Somalia, Ivory Coast, Western Sahara, Sierra Leone, Bosnia,
Kosovo, Georgia, East Timor Haiti etc. Even, at present, more than 8200 troops
of Pakistan Army are engaged in different peacekeeping missions across various
volatile countries.
The performance of
Pakistani peacekeepers has been recognized worldwide by several world leaders
including those of the UN. An undeniable professional standing of Pakistani
forces has made them the passion of every special representative of Secretary
General and Force Commander in each of UN peacekeeping operations. In this
respect, Pakistan’s dedication towards UN has been acknowledged by UN Secretary
General Ban Ki Moon who himself visited Pakistan and inaugurated the Center for
International Peace and Stability (CIPS) on 13 August 2013 and praised
Pakistan’s efforts in UN peacekeeping missions.
However, Pakistan has
participated in 41 UN missions in 23 states where total 142,542 Pakistani
personnel engaged, taking start from UN Congo Operation in 1960. Pak army
delivered its services there, and contributed in ordnance, transport and staff.
It is still present in Congo, and provided a Battalion Group comprising one
infantry battalion and supporting elements.
For maintaining and
monitoring ceasefire during transition of West Irian from Dutch rule to
Indonesians, Pakistan contributed 1500 infantry troops from October 3, 1962 to
April 30, 1963. In a rare acknowledgement of excellent role done, Chinese
Premier Chou-En-Lai had said, “The only example in United Nation’s history,
when United Nations force had gone in…performed its role honestly and came out,
was Pakistan’s military contingent to Indonesia.”
Besides, Pakistan’s
contribution was in United Nations Yemen Observer Mission (UNYOM) as a military
observer from January to September 1964. Yemen entered into a state of civil
war in 1962. To ensure that this conflict did not escalate into global
incident, the UN set up its Yemen Observation Mission. And, United Nations Transition
Assistance Group in Namibia (UNTAG) was established to assist the special
representative of the UN Secretary General to ensure the early independence of
Namibia through free and fair elections, and to carry out a number of other
duties. For the purpose, 20 military observers from Pak Army performed their
duties from April 1, 1989 to March 21, 1990 in Namibia.
Notably, Pak Army
played a positive role in the Middle East, and was on forefront for peace
restoration. United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observer Mission (UNIKOM) was set up in
April 1991, following the forced withdrawal of Iraqi forces from Kuwait. Its
task was to monitor the demilitarized zone along the Iraq-Kuwait border and
deter border violations. Pakistani forces which helped continuing their services
there from April 1991 to 2003 were assigned the most difficult area in the
north of Kuwait city—reclamation of Bubiyan Island was also entrusted to them.
The operation was carried out by a task force of Pakistan Army Engineers. The
professionalism and dedication displayed by this force was praised at
international level.
While, inside the
United Nations Transitional Authority on Cambodia (UNTAC), the Pakistan’s
military forces carried out peacekeeping operations in the most thorny and
remote areas during the period-May 1992 to August 1993. They overcame enormous
logistic and operational problems, and proved their courage and determination
by defending themselves and those for whom they were sent. Coping with the
odds, they handled crisis after crisis and persuaded the warring factions to
lay down their arms.
And on the request of
the UN in Latin America under the United Nations Mission in Haiti (UNMIH),
Pakistan provided one infantry battalion, ‘PAKBAT’ which arrived in Haiti in
March 1995 and was deployed in Cape Haitien—the area faced extremely volatile
security situation and was also the hotbed of political agitation. ‘PAKBAT’
discharged its duties with an extensive patrolling program, covering various
regions there.
Nevertheless,
Pakistan’s army has worked in difficult terrains and situations for the global
peace. Now, inside the country, although Pakistan Armed Forces are facing a
tough situation in wake of war against terrorism, yet they are contributing to
global peace and prosperity; having still a large number of their presence in
various parts of the world.
Now, the major powers
must abandon their false propaganda against Pakistan and its Armed Forces, as
the latter did more in response of international demand of world peace.
Nonetheless, in pursuance of Pakistan Army’s
unwavering commitment towards international peace, 130 Pakistani soldiers have
sacrificed their lives. In this connection, Pakistan Armed Forces’ positive
role in the UN peacekeeping measures reflects Pakistan’s desire to see the
principles of human dignity, freedom and self-determination.
Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is
author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants, Invisible Balance of Power:
Dangerous Shift in International Relations
Email: sajjad_logic@yahoo.com
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