ISLAMABAD: The United Nations on Friday praised Pakistan’s contribution to global peacekeeping, saying Pakistani military and police personnel were currently serving in six UN missions around the world.

According to information shared by the world body alongside its social media post, Pakistan is the fifth-largest contributor to UN peacekeeping operations, with 2,662 personnel — including 147 women — deployed across missions in Abyei, the Central African Republic, Cyprus, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Western Sahara.

“In six UN peacekeeping missions around the world, over 2,600 military and police officers from Pakistan are serving for peace, leaving their families to protect those most at risk,” the UN said.

“We thank these brave women and men for their service and sacrifice,” it added.

Pakistan joined UN peacekeeping in 1960 when it deployed a contingent to the UN Operation in the Congo and has since played a prominent role in peace operations, undertaking tasks ranging from civilian protection and medical outreach to disaster response and infrastructure rebuilding, according to the UN.

A total of 171 Pakistani peacekeepers have lost their lives while serving under the UN flag, the organization said.

Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Asim Iftikhar Ahmad echoed the message, saying Pakistani peacekeepers had made the nation proud through their service.

“Pakistan has worked as part of UN Peacekeeping to serve the cause of international peace,” he said in a post on X. “Our brave men and women in blue helmets have made the nation proud through their dedicated service in support of communities affected by conflicts and wars.”