UNITED NATIONS, Jan 22: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has lauded the Pakistani peace-keepers for their service under the UN flag in the troubled areas around the world, saying they had made “remarkable contributions” in maintaining peace coupled with helping families and communities suffering from war.

“I have personally met brave Pakistani men and women who serve proudly in some of our toughest missions around the world. They are truly an inspiration,” Mr Ban said on Monday at an exhibition of photographs celebrating more than 50 years of Pakistan’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations.

The exhibition followed a debate on UN peace-keeping in the Security Council convened by Pakistan, which holds the presidency of the 15-member body for the month of January.

The photographs depict Pakistani soldiers and civilian administrators hard at work—building peace and bringing development in conflict zones.

“This wonderful exhibition reminds us that peace-keeping is more than mandates and missions; it is our collective promise to help families and communities suffering from war,” Mr Ban told a large gathering of heads of mission accredited to the United Nations, senior UN officials and journalists.