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ISLAMABAD: The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers is being observed today to pay tribute to all men and women serving in peacekeeping in conflict zones.
It also honours nearly 4,200 peacekeepers who have lost their lives serving under the UN flag since 1948, including 135 last year. The theme for this year’s Day is “People. Peace. Progress. The Power of Partnerships.”
The International Day of UN Peacekeepers was established by the UN General Assembly in 2002 to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace.
The General Assembly designated May 29 as the International Day of UN Peacekeepers in commemoration of the day in 1948 when the UN’s first peacekeeping mission, the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), began operations in Palestine.
Since then, more than one million women and men have served in 72 UN peacekeeping operations. Today UN Peacekeeping deploys more than 87,000 military, police and civilian personnel in 12 operations.
Pakistan has been one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping. A total of 163 Pakistani peacekeepers have lost their lives while serving under the UN flag over the years, according to the UN.
Pakistan has a longstanding & abiding commitment to @UNPeacekeeping spanning over 6 decades.
This #PKDay we reaffirm our resolve to continue playing our part in supporting int’l peacekeeping efforts.
We also salute peacekeepers in 🇵🇰 & around the world for their service 🇺🇳. pic.twitter.com/XmnAaycfgz
— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) May 29, 2022
Ministry of Foreign Office said Pakistan has a longstanding and abiding commitment to UN peacekeeping spanning over six decades.
“This #PKDay we reaffirm our resolve to continue playing our part in supporting int’l peacekeeping efforts. We also salute peacekeepers in Pakistan around the world for their service,” the spokesperson.
The first UN peacekeeping mission was established on 29 May 1948, when the Security Council authorized the deployment of a small number of UN military observers to the Middle East to form the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) to monitor the Armistice Agreement between Israel and its Arab neighbours.
Posthumous awards
On May 26, the United Nations honoured at a solemn ceremony 117 military, police and civilian personnel from 42 countries, including six Pakistani peacekeepers, who lost their lives serving under the UN flag last year.
The ceremony, presided over by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, awarded the Dag Hammarskjold Medal posthumously to the peacekeepers. Six Pakistani peacekeepers were among 117 honoured with UN medals posthumously
“I feel deeply honoured and proud on receiving these awards on behalf of six fallen Pakistani peacekeepers,” Ambassador Akram said after the ceremony.
“Pakistan, one of the longest-serving and largest contributors to UN Peacekeeping for decades, is committed to helping the vulnerable communities affected by conflict and continues to adapt to the changing environment and needs of the peacekeeping operations,” the envoy said.
“There is a steadfast resolve on Pakistan’s part to build upon the glorious past to achieve shared goals of peace and security,” he added. Also, in a special message, Ambassador Akram offered his heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the fallen peacekeepers
According to the Secretary-General, peacekeepers work with member states, civil society, humanitarians, media, communities they serve and many others, to foster peace, protect civilians, promote human rights and the rule of law and improve the lives of millions of people.”
