ISLAMABAD: Over a hundred Pakistani police officials are soon expected to participate in the United Nations peacekeeping missions, announced an official statement on Saturday, following a meeting between Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in New York.
UN peacekeeping operations, carried out in conflict zones, are vital to maintain security by intervening in disputes, protecting civilians and helping to build a sustainable peace in post-conflict areas.
Last month, the military said Pakistan had contributed 235,000 troops to UN peacekeeping operations in 48 missions spread around in 29 countries since 1960. This also claimed the lives of 181 Pakistanis deployed in different parts of the world.
Many of the peacekeepers arrived from the police services. One of them, Shahzadi Gulfam, earned the prestigious UN International Female Police Peacekeeper Award in 2011 after being deployed in Bosnia in 1997 and later in Kosovo and Timor-Leste.
According to the official statement circulated in Islamabad, Naqvi discussed a number of issues with the UN chief that included peacekeeping missions and joint efforts to combat militant violence.
“During the meeting it was agreed to increase the number of Pakistani personnel in UN peacekeeping missions,” the statement continued, adding there was significant progress related to the deployment of police officials as well.
“128 Pakistani police officers will join UN peacekeeping forces soon,” it said.
The two officials also discussed the establishment of a UN counterterrorism force.
The Pakistani minister informed the UN chief regarding his country’s expertise and professional approach in the area and offered Pakistan’s support for the project.
He also pointed out that the number of women officers in Pakistan’s police had significantly increased in recent years.
The UN secretary general applauded the development, expressing his belief that female police officers would be considered for posting in UN peacekeeping missions.
Naqvi also thanked the UN chief for visiting Pakistan during the 2022 floods and his expression of solidarity with the affected people.
The meeting was also attended by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Munir Akram, and other senior UN officials.
