By
Sajjad Shaukat
Each year, United
Nations Day is celebrated on October 24. 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 24th of October 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
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.
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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