NEW YORK: Pakistan’s Peacekeeping Day was marked at the UN by the appreciation of the country’s professional military by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and representatives of member countries.

At a largely attended event organised by the Pakistan Mission to UN on Wednesday, the week-long photo exhibition was inaugurated by the UN chief showing the country’s longstanding contribution to UN peacekeeping over the past half a century.

The UN chief said that he had the privilege of seeing first-hand “professionalism and commitment of Pakistani police and military personnel”.

He credited Pakistani units for the ‘much improved political and security situation’ in places like Cote d’ Ivoire and Liberia.

“For well over half a century Pakistani peacekeeping troops have seen injustice in far and off places and sent forces for a better world,” Mr Ban said, adding that the UN looked forward to “continuing contributions to international peace and security in the years to come”.

In her welcome remarks, Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi called for a collective response to the challenges that modern peacekeeping faces today. “Our goal is common,” she said, adding that efforts should be made to ensure that the UN’s peacekeeping missions could effectively fulfil their mandates.

She assured the Secretary General of Pakistan’s willingness to work with the UN in pursuit of this goal.

Recounting the services of Pakistani peacekeepers, she said that they had not only saved the lives by fulfilling their mandated task of protecting civilians, but also served as care-givers, most recently in the fight against Ebola in Liberia.

“Almost invariably, they also contribute to the economic and infrastructure development of the countries where they are stationed,” she added.

Ambassador Lodhi referred to the Pakistani peacekeeper Shahzadi Gulfam, who was the first recipient of the International Female Peacekeeper Award in 2011. She was present at the event.

Ms Gulfam praised Jibran Nasir, a civil society activist and founder of the NGO, Never Forget Pakistan. A website highlights Pakistan’s contributions to UN peacekeeping was launched at the event.

Jibran Nasir in his presentation of the website highlighted a page - the Wall of Valour - dedicated to the 145 fallen, who had made the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of international peace and security.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2016