RAWALPINDI: A Pakistan Army soldier embraced martyrdom while serving in a United Nations’ (UN) peacekeeping mission in Central African Republic, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Thursday.
According to a statement issued by military’s media wing, Havaldar Muhammad Shafiq’s funeral prayer was held at his native town of Mian Channu in Khanewal. He is survived by his wife and three sons.
“[The martyred] soldier was buried with full military honours,” the statement said, adding that he had joined the UN mission in February 2021.
“Muhammad Shafiq was a brave and dedicated member of the Pakistan contingent [and was] ensuring the protection of civilians in CAR and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance,” the statement added.
The ISPR said 162 soldiers have been martyred so far while serving in the UN’s peacekeeping missions. In September, Lance Naik Adil Jan embraced martyrdom while on duty during a peacekeeping mission in Sudan.
He was part of the UN mission in Darfur responsible for the protection of civilians and facilitating humanitarian assistance in the district. In February, Lance Naik Tahir Ikram died in Sudan when his truck had an accident in the South Darfur region.
![Local residents at the Swat River, which is overflowing due to pre-monsoon heavy rains in the area on the outskirts of Mingora, the main town of Pakistan's Swat Valley [Sherin Zada/AP]](https://mmnews.tv/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Flooding-in-Swat-river-350x250.jpg)
