Plight of Kashmiris, Palestinians show gaps in global peacekeeping efforts: army chief

Published November 4, 2024
Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir addresses a conference on August 8. — DawnNewsTV
Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir addresses a conference on August 8. — DawnNewsTV

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir on Monday said that the plight of Palestinians and Kashmiris highlighted gaps in global peacekeeping efforts as he inaugurated the 28th Annual Conference of the International Association of Peacekeeping Training Centre (IAPTC) in Islamabad.

According to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Gen Munir, in a keynote address to the gathering, emphasised that global peace today was confronted with ever-evolving threats and challenges.

“Despite the numerous peacekeeping endeavours underway by the UN and other organisations, the plight of innocent Kashmiris and Palestinians serve as a stark reminder that still, a lot needs to be done,” he said, according to the statement.

Under Secretary General Department of Peace Operations Jean Pierre Lacroix, United Nation’s police advisor, acting deputy military advisor, foreign secretary of Pakistan and rector of the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), were also in attendance.

Speaking during the conference, Lacroix acknowledged Pakistan’s contributions to UN Peacekeeping Operations and appreciated the country for hosting the 28th IAPTC Annual Conference.

Earlier on arrival, the COAS was received by Inspector General Training and Evaluation (IGT&E), Lieutenant General Fayyaz Hussain Shah.

Pakistan has been one of the longest-serving and largest contributors to UN Peacekeeping for decades. Since joining the UN on Sept 30, 1947, Pakistan has participated in 70 UN peacekeeping missions across the globe, according to a 2022 report.

UN statistics show that 168 Pakistanis were also among more than 4,000 UN peacekeepers killed since 1948.

Opinion

From hard to harder

From hard to harder

Instead of ‘hard state’ turning even harder, citizens deserve a state that goes soft on them in delivering democratic and development aspirations.

Editorial

Canal unrest
Updated 03 Apr, 2025

Canal unrest

With rising water scarcity in Indus system, it is crucial to move towards a consensus-driven policymaking process.
Iran-US tension
03 Apr, 2025

Iran-US tension

THE Trump administration’s threats aimed at Iran do not bode well for global peace, and unless Washington changes...
Flights to history
03 Apr, 2025

Flights to history

MOHENJODARO could have been the forgotten gold we desperately need. Instead, this 5,000-year-old well of antiquity ...
Eid amidst crises
Updated 31 Mar, 2025

Eid amidst crises

Until the Muslim world takes practical steps to end these atrocities, these besieged populations will see no joy.
Women’s rights
Updated 01 Apr, 2025

Women’s rights

Such judgements, and others directly impacting women’s rights should be given more airtime in media.
Not helping
Updated 02 Apr, 2025

Not helping

If it's committed to peace in Balochistan, the state must draw a line between militancy and legitimate protest.