ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has said it is proud of its role in some of the notably successful United Nations peacekeeping missions.
Islamabad joined the UN in commemorating the contributions and sacrifices of those remarkable men and women working under the UN flag for the maintenance of international peace and security.
“One hundred and fifty-six Pakistani peacekeepers lost their lives in the cause of world peace,” said the Foreign Ministry in a statement marking the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers Tuesday.
“We pay tribute to those 3,700 peacekeepers, including from Pakistan, who have given the ultimate sacrifice serving the cause of world peace since the establishment of the first peacekeeping mission in 1948,” the Foreign Office said.
Pakistan has demonstrated an abiding commitment to the UN and its flagship work in the area of peacekeeping.
“Pakistan has continued to be a lead troop-contributing country. Since 1960, more than 172,000 Pakistani troops and uniformed personnel have served with professionalism and distinction in 43 UN missions, 26 countries and in almost all continents of the world,” the statement added.
Pakistan is also host to one of the UN’s first peacekeeping missions, UNMOGIP, which continues to monitor the cease-fire along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, a task we greatly value as a contribution to peace and security in our region.
“We reaffirm our commitment to the principles and purposes of the UN charter, including our resolve to continue making our contribution to the promotion of international peace through active participation in UN peacekeeping missions,” the Foreign Office said.
156 Pakistanis lost their lives in UN peacekeeping missions
156 Pakistanis lost their lives in UN peacekeeping missions
- More than 172,000 Pakistani troops and uniformed personnel have served with professionalism and distinction in 43 UN missions: Pakistan Foreign Office.
- Pakistan is also host to one of the UN’s first peacekeeping missions: UNMOGIP
Pope Leo XIV calls for global truce on Christmas Day
- Pope Leo expressed “great sadness” that “apparently Russia rejected a request” for truce
CASTEL GANDOLFO: Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday called for a global truce on Christmas Day, expressing “great sadness” that “apparently Russia rejected a request” for one.
“I am renewing my request to all people of good will to respect a day of peace — at least on the feast of the birth of our Savior,” Leo told reporters at his residence in Castel Gandolfo near Rome.
Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and has repeatedly rejected calls for a ceasefire saying it would only give a military advantage to Ukraine.
“Among the things that cause me great sadness is the fact that Russia has apparently rejected a request for a truce,” the pope said.
Referring to conflicts in general, Leo said: “I hope they will listen and there will be 24 hours of peace in the whole world,” he added.
Ukraine on Tuesday pulled out troops from a town in the east of the country after fierce battles with Russian forces as relentless strikes by Moscow killed three civilians and cut power to thousands in freezing winter temperatures.
There was no sign of an imminent breakthrough after top negotiators from both Russia and Ukraine were in Miami last weekend for separate meetings with US officials seeking a deal to end almost four years of fighting.
Pope Leo met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier this month.
Asked if he would accept Zelensky’s invitation to visit Ukraine, Leo later said “I hope so,” but cautioned it was not possible to say when such a trip would be possible.
He also said that seeking peace in Ukraine without European diplomatic involvement was “unrealistic” and warned US President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan risked a “huge change” in the transatlantic alliance.
