By
Sajjad Shaukat
Every year, International Day of United Nations
(UN) Peacekeepers is celebrated on May 29 to pay tribute to all those who
served in the UN peacekeeping operations and to honor the memory of those who
lost their lives in the cause of peace. 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.
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. 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
endeavours 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.
Email: sajjad_logic@yahoo.com
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