Role of Pakistan in UN Peacekeeping Operations: A Journey of Sacrifices & Commitment to the World Peace
In the world of conflicts, struggle for peace is always inevitable. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “If we are to have peace on earth, our loyalties must become ecumenical rather than sectional. Our loyalties must transcend our race, our tribe, our class, and our nation and this means we must develop a world perspective.” Muslims of subcontinent gave immense sacrifices for the creation of motherland, Pakistan where they can live and perform their religious obligations peacefully. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Founding father of Pakistan and its first Governor General, in a broadcast talk to the people of the USA in February 1948, highlighted the significance of promoting peace while stating Pakistan’s Foreign Policy goals. He said that “We believe in the principle of honesty and fair play in national and international dealings and are prepared to make our utmost contribution to the promotion of peace and prosperity among the nations of the world.” Words of the founding father layed a clear outline for Pakistani nation and the state has ever since contributed a significance share in promotion of peace-building efforts across the world.
Peacekeeping is one among a range of activities undertaken by the United Nations to maintain international peace and security in which the country’s peacekeeping forces contributed a significant and worthwhile role, which has been acknowledged by the international community on numerous occasions. Pakistan deployed its first peacekeeping UN mission Operation in Congo (ONUC) in 1960. ONUC was created to address the conflict between Belgium and its former territory of Congo. During this operation, Pakistan provided logistic support and its armed forces successfully conducted the whole operation. An organized system for the transportation of troops, weapons and other equipment was managed by Pakistan in a hostile environment which helped improve the internal security of Congo.
The then, President Adoula of Congo acknowledged that mission had played a decisive factor in restoring the security of the state. It was Pakistan’s first UN mission that helped the country to be acknowledged as a responsible and proficient contributor in the world peace. Despite the fact, that Pakistan was in the early years of its existence, the zeal and spirit of its contribution for peace helped the state to be accredited as an important member of global community. First successful mission paved the way for the country to continue providing its services in the long run. The next mission Pakistan participated had been West Irian in 1962. It was because of a successful mission of Pakistan’s armed forces that towards the end, President Soekarno of Indonesia said, “It was because of Pakistani troops that Indonesia and Pakistan came close together, they were Pakistan’s best ambassadors.” It is beyond doubt that Pakistan’s peace keeping missions have performed their responsibilities with complete professional and dedicated approach which has earned the state a desirable global repute.
Similarly, in Somalia, Pakistani peacekeepers were tasked to recover unauthorized arms to ensure safety of humanitarian efforts and peacekeeping. Effective handling of the security situation and accompanying food convoys, soon, won the hearts and minds of the locals. These efforts resulted into a slogan, “Pakistan and Somali Walal Walal” which means Pakistani and Somali are brothers. Our soldiers, civilians, police personnel and paramilitary forces took part in numerous missions and conducted a host of activities under the banner the UN ranging from humanitarian assistance to hardcore security operations. From traditional concepts of 19th century to the evolving concepts of 20th century, the country has kept its self-up-to date with evolving practices and participation. Pakistani troops have served under the banner of UN Peacekeeping missions in Kuwait, Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda, Angola, Eastern Slavonia, Sierra Leone, Libya, Burundi, and Sudan.
Till to date, Pakistan has participated in 46 UN peacekeeping missions in 23 different countries out of the total 69 missions undertaken by the UN. More than 200,000 Pakistani peacekeepers have served in UN peacekeeping missions while 156 peacekeepers including 24 officers and two persons of formed Police Units have scarified their lives. Around same number of peacekeepers have been wounded, some of whom are living disabled. Maximum casualties on a single day occurred during “Operation United Shield” in the UN Mission in Somalia (UNOSOM) on June 5, 1993, in which our 24 brave soldiers sacrificed their lives while ensuring safety of the people of Somalia and UN comrades. In the memory of those departed souls, June 5 is commemorated as the Pakistani Peacekeepers Day. Pakistan has also contributed a total of 42 Formed Police Units in five different countries. The performance of Pakistani police has also remained commendable in UN peace missions. To note, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Shahzadi Gulfam of Pakistan was awarded “International Female Police Peacekeeper Award” in 2011.
In 2018, Pakistani peacekeepers constituted world’s fifth-largest contingent with more than 6,000 military and police force officials. Pakistani troops are currently deployed in the Congo, the Central African Republic and Sudan’s Darfur region. Pakistani troops are involved in establishing and enforcing protocols to protect civilians while on the other hand, also facilitate political processes and deliver humanitarian aid. It is a near war-like environment out there, ripe with uncertainties that these peacekeepers negotiate and adapt to on a daily basis. It is their commitment, dedication, pride of home state and contribution to the world peace that keeps them motivated in performing their duties across the world. Despite the fact, that Pakistan has been a part of US-Afghan war since last two decades, facing a human life loss of more than 70,000 people and economic loss of more than $100 Billion dollars, the country never stood back in contributing its share to the UN peacekeeping operations across the globe. Prospects of peace in a conflicted world seem vague, yet it is now or never. Due share of each state for the promotion of world peace is indispensable and the world leaders must accept their responsibilities as it is said that world peace is one project that we have to do together.
The writer is currently working as Executive Director IPCA