NEW YORK: United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson on Thursday praised Pakistan as 'one of the most consistent and effective providers of troops and police for the UN', for their service under the UN flag in hot spots around the world, saying they had made valuable contribution in maintaining peace as also helping communities suffering from war.

Speaking at an event organised by Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi to commemorate the International Day of Pakistani Peacekeepers at the Pakistan Mission in New York, UN's deputy secretary general lauded Pakistani peacekeepers for their service under the UN flag in hot spots around the world, saying they had made valuable contribution in maintaining peace as also helping communities suffering from war.

“The United Nations is deeply grateful to Pakistan for its continued commitment and unflinching support," he said. “Tragically, 142 military, police and civilian peacekeepers from Pakistan have lost their lives in serving the cause of peace, a tragic reminder of the human cost in fulfilling the mandates of the United Nations in ever more dangerous situations.”

Speaking on the occasion, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry reiterated Pakistan’s continued commitment to UN Peacekeeping. He said we consider it a central plank of our foreign policy and our most tangible contribution to world peace.

The day marks the 5 June 1993 incident in Somalia when 24 Pakistani peacekeepers laid down their lives while rescuing allied forces in Mogadishu. On that day, 19 US troops also lost their lives.

Pakistani men and women serve in seven peacekeeping missions including Democratic Republic of Congo, Darfur, Haiti and Central African Republic.

With over 8,000 troops serving in these missions, Pakistan is among the highest contributors to UN peacekeeping operations.