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
